Arokodare: ‘Premier League Tougher Than I Thought, My First Matches Were A Struggle

Super Eagles striker Tolu Arokodare has admitted that life in the Premier League has been far tougher than he anticipated.

After joining Wolves from Belgian side Genk last summer, the forward told Het Nieuwsblad that the transition has tested him more than expected.

‘The two leagues are comparable: physically demanding, intense, and fast. But in the Premier League, you have to double your efforts,’ Arokodare explained.

He confessed that his early matches were a struggle.

‘It wasn’t easy, I admit. My first matches were a struggle, I struggled. It was even harder than I expected. I’ve made progress since then, but I’m not where I want to be yet.’

The striker has been locked in a relegation battle all season, a stark contrast to his time in Belgium where goals came more freely.

‘I knew I wasn’t coming here on holiday, that I’d have to fight. So, not much has changed in that respect. I was fighting with Genk, and now I’m fighting with Wolves. Then for the title, now to stay up in the league,’ he said.

Arokodare admitted the difficulty of adjusting from being a top scorer to struggling for numbers.

‘I want to learn from this and become stronger. But it goes without saying that it’s tough being top scorer last season and now not even close to double figures.’

So far, he has managed two goals and one assist in 26 Premier League appearances, a return that underlines the challenge he faces in England’s top flight.