Arokodare not yet in his best shape for Wolves – Pereira

Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. manager Vitor Pereira has revealed why Nigeria forward Tolu Arokodare is yet to score a Premier League goal for the outfit.

Arokodare, who was the winner of the 2025 Ebony Shoe, awarded to the best African player in Belgium, joined Wolves on transfer deadline from KRC Genk on a four-year contract with the option of a further one year.

However, the lanky forward is yet to score from three matches, his only goal for Wolves so far coming in the third round of the Carabao Cup win against Newcastle United.

Arokodare was not ready to start a game

Asked to explain why Arokodare was yet to hit the ground running in the top-tier, Pereira told the club’s official website: “The pre-season of Tolu’s was a preseason without games, that’s because he was in a position where he could leave the club or stay, or leave, or stay or leave.

“When he first came and started to work with us, he was not ready to start a game, but we needed him and we started with him in Newcastle. He tried his best, he scored a beautiful goal against Everton, but he is not yet in his best shape.”

On whether he could start Strand Larsen alongside Arokodare, Pereira replied: “I believe that we can play with both. But at this moment, Larsen is struggling with injury because he’s not fully fit.

“The Larsen that you used to see; pressing, fighting, because he’s now in some pain and he’s struggling with injury, but he’s trying to help the team in this important moment, but he’s not at his best level.”

Arokodare will hope to start when Wolves invite Brighton & Hove Albion in a Premier League fixture at Molineux on Sunday.