Tolu Arokodare: 3 things Ajax striker’s latest performance tells us

Tolu Arokodare needed just two minutes to make his mark against Excelsior, but his latest Ajax performance revealed much more about the Nigerian striker than another goal, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Super Eagles forward came off the bench in the 62nd minute with Ajax trailing 2-1 at home and immediately changed the game.

Oscar Gloukh’s delivery found Arokodare, who produced excellent footwork before firing into the roof of the net to restore parity. Ajax eventually had to settle for a 2-2 draw despite creating numerous chances.

It was Arokodare’s sixth goal and second assist in nine appearances for Ajax this season, underlining how quickly he has adapted following his summer loan move from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Yet beyond the goal, his latest outing offered three important clues about the Nigerian’s growing influence in Amsterdam.

1. Arokodare can change games even without starting

The biggest takeaway is that Arokodare does not necessarily need 90 minutes to influence an Ajax game.

He had been left on the bench after falling ill during the week, with coach Míchel Sánchez explaining that Kasper Dolberg had earned another start after his performance against Willem II.

But when Ajax needed a response, Arokodare delivered almost immediately. Two minutes after replacing Dolberg, he had found the net.

That impact is becoming an important part of his value to Ajax. His size, strength and ability to attack crosses give the Amsterdam club a different dimension in the final third.

Even Excelsior coach Ruben den Uil was struck by the Nigerian’s physical presence, describing him as a “cheat code” because of how difficult he is to stop in the air.

2. His physical presence is already causing problems for defenders

Arokodare’s physicality is not merely an advantage on paper. Opponents are already having to find ways to deal with it.

The Nigerian complained after the game that Excelsior defenders repeatedly pulled his shirt and held him when he attempted to attack the ball.

He was particularly frustrated by the incident before his goal, explaining that he wanted to jump but was held back and could not get off the ground.

At 1.97m, his height and strength make him an obvious target for Ajax’s crosses, while his ability to compete physically gives the club another route to goal when opponents sit deep.

The challenge now is for Arokodare to continue turning that physical advantage into goals, chances and points, even when defenders try to disrupt him.

3. The best version of Arokodare has not arrived yet

Despite scoring almost immediately, the striker admitted that he is not yet fully fit.

After coming on, he realised within five or six minutes that he was already feeling tired.

“I needed this match to realise that I am not yet 100% fit. I still feel weak,” Arokodare said, explaining that he had not recovered as well as he had thought.

That admission puts his current numbers into an even more interesting perspective.

Arokodare has already produced six goals and two assists in nine appearances, yet he believes his physical condition is still below its optimum.

The international break could therefore be particularly useful. With Ajax not returning to Eredivisie action until October 10, Arokodare has time to recover fully and work towards returning at his best.

Arokodare’s Ajax story is only beginning

Arokodare’s latest performance was not another goal in an impressive start to his Ajax career.

It showed that he can immediately change games, demonstrated the physical problems he is already creating for defenders and revealed that he still has room to improve physically.

The goals are already coming. Now Arokodare has to get himself fully fit and discover just how much more he can offer Ajax, and hopefully seal a permanent move to the Dutch capital.