Quick Read
- Tolu Arokodare joined Wolves from Genk for £23 million in the summer of 2025.
- He started alongside Jorgen Strand-Larsen in Wolves’ recent 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.
- New coach Rob Edwards made four changes for his first match, including Arokodare in the starting XI.
- Arokodare has publicly backed Edwards, emphasizing team unity and fan support.
- Wolves remain winless after 12 games, sitting at the bottom of the Premier League table.
Tolu Arokodare’s Arrival: A Spark in a Bleak Season
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 2025/26 Premier League campaign has been anything but smooth sailing. With just two points from 12 games and sitting at the very bottom of the table, Wolves find themselves in a crisis that has already claimed the job of former head coach Vitor Pereira. Yet, amid the gloom, a new face is drawing attention and giving fans something to rally around: Tolu Arokodare.
Arokodare, the Nigerian striker signed from Genk for £23 million over the summer, wasn’t just brought in to score goals—he was expected to help reshape Wolves’ attacking identity. His debut alongside last season’s second top scorer, Jorgen Strand-Larsen, during the recent 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, offered a rare glimpse of promise. The pair displayed a chemistry that’s been sorely missing at Molineux, linking up well and challenging defenders both in the air and on the ground (VAVEL).
The Edwards Era Begins: Searching for a Turnaround
The appointment of Rob Edwards as head coach marked the start of a new chapter. Edwards wasted no time, making four changes in his first game, including Arokodare in the starting lineup (AOL). The Wolves XI for the Palace clash included Johnstone, Tchatchoua, Agbadou, Krejci, Toti, Wolfe, Andre, J Gomes, Munetsi, Strand Larsen, and Arokodare—signaling a clear intent to shake things up and find a winning formula.
Despite the tactical adjustments, Wolves struggled to create meaningful chances in the final third, a problem exacerbated by the summer departures of creative forwards Matheus Cunha, Pablo Sarabia, and Goncalo Guedes. The new signings, Jhon Arias and Fer Lopez, have yet to fill the creative void. Hwang Hee Chan’s ongoing struggles and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde’s inconsistent form mean the burden falls heavily on Arokodare and Strand-Larsen to ignite the attack (VAVEL).
Arokodare’s Attitude: Hope and Determination
After the loss to Crystal Palace—a match where Wolves showed heart in the first half but faltered after conceding—the mood could have sunk even lower. Instead, Arokodare stepped forward, voicing confidence in Edwards and urging the squad to fight for both their coach and the loyal fans. “He’s let us know that he’s going to be there for us, he’s going to fight for us, and we just have to reward him—and reward the fans who have stuck with us from the start of the season until now,” Arokodare told the club’s official website (Daily Post).
His words carry weight. In a team desperate for leadership and self-belief, Arokodare’s attitude could be as vital as his goals. The striker’s physicality, willingness to battle, and developing partnership with Strand-Larsen offer a glimmer of hope, even as the club faces daunting fixtures and a real threat of relegation.
What’s Next for Wolves and Arokodare?
The road ahead is steep. Wolves’ next league game is an away clash against Aston Villa—a local derby that could either deepen their woes or spark a revival. With home fixtures against Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, and Brentford looming before Christmas, the opportunity to claw back into the survival conversation is there. The January transfer window may also prove crucial if current issues persist.
For now, Edwards seems committed to testing the Arokodare-Strand-Larsen partnership, hoping it can mirror the success of his previous Luton duo, Carlton Morris and Elijah Adebayo, in the 2022/23 season. If the pair can begin converting their promise into goals, Wolves’ fortunes could change.
Challenges on and off the Pitch
Wolves’ problems aren’t confined to tactics and talent. The defeat to Crystal Palace highlighted a fragile mentality: after conceding the first goal, heads dropped and old habits resurfaced. Confidence is low, intensity wanes under pressure, and the psychological burden of a winless streak grows heavier each week. Edwards must address these intangible factors as much as formations and personnel.
Meanwhile, injuries and lack of squad depth complicate matters. With Rodrigo Gomes out for several weeks and inconsistent performances from new signings, every fixture feels like a test of character as much as skill.
The Bigger Picture: Survival, Identity, and the Role of Arokodare
Wolves fans remain loyal, filling Molineux with energy even as results falter. The backing for Edwards was palpable before kickoff, but patience is not infinite. The club’s Premier League status is hanging by a thread, and the stakes could not be higher.
In this context, Arokodare’s role is both practical and symbolic. As a marquee signing, he represents hope—an investment in the future, a chance to rewrite the narrative of a lost season. His partnership with Strand-Larsen is more than a tactical experiment; it’s a statement that Wolves refuse to surrender, that they’re willing to fight for every point.
How quickly this hope translates into results will define not just Arokodare’s legacy at Wolves, but the fate of the club itself.
Assessment: Tolu Arokodare embodies the resilience Wolves desperately need. His early promise, partnership with Strand-Larsen, and outspoken support for Rob Edwards offer a blueprint for recovery—but the challenge remains immense. Only consistent performances and renewed self-belief can turn cautious optimism into genuine survival.