Scout report: Should Benik Afobe leap frog Yaya Sanogo and Chuba Akpom at Arsenal?

Yes, Arsenal have a striker who can score vs Manchester United

With all the talk being of the inadequacies or otherwise of our manager, coaching staff, medical staff and of course of Theirry Henry, this week I am back with ‘something completely different.’ In reality it is a lazy article as someone else has done half the work and most of the research but I hope it is all the more relevant for that.

At present, Arsenal have two undoubted Premier League level central strikers in Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck, and I assume few Gunners would dispute that statement. Beneath this we have Theo Walcott who would love the role but is unlikely to be given it on his own, Lukas Podolski an enigma who I am beyond fathoming and Yaya Sanogo who has the faith of the boss but few others.

We also have Joel Campbell, who apart from for Costa Rica plays mainly on the right and Chuba Apkom who many have high hopes for but one suspects needs a loan for a season or from January to May at the very least.

In my view, Wenger does not trust Podolski wholeheartedly and when he does play him would opt to do so wide where possible and he seems to have even less faith in Joel. Theo is due back as early as this weekend and whilst I have seen some question his Arsenal future in the medium term, in the short term he jumps ahead both and arguably ahead of Danny Welbeck.

For me Sanogo also needs to go only loan and while he may be resistant, convinced he has a role for us now, he could well be in the minority of one. This is admirable self belief which is unfounded at this stage perhaps. Lastly many fans are hanging their hopes on Apkom to leap frog Yaya and challenge sooner rather than later.

I am not in this group and whilst I cannot claim to have watched him for hours as some have for the under 21s I do know Brentford season ticket holders whose opinion of him last season whilst on loan could hardly have been lower. Phrases such as ‘pampered schoolboy’ and ‘simply could not rough it with the big boys,’ would sum up the consensus.

So enough of me rambling on and to the point of this article. That is to revisit the progress of the player who along with Wilshere, was mapped out to be the next prodigal son. The question is whether, barring his appalling luck with injuries, it would have been Benik Afobe we were discussing as pushing Podolski, Campbell and Sanago for the fourth striker berth?

I have followed Afobe along with his compadre, Aneke’s careers closely since both were subject to an approach from Barcelona as teenagers and were described by Steve Bould as 2 of the best players he had ever worked with.

With Chuks departed without the breakthrough, that leaves me with Afobe who I first wrote about as early as December 2011 and more recently in January 2013 when he was on loan at Bolton. It would be fair to say my conversations with Bolton bloggers did not make good reading for Afobe or Afobe fans.

However, nearly two years on, Afobe is 21 and the decision on his future for Arsenal will be made between now and the end of this season. His contract, I believe, is due to expire in June 2015 and the next deal is huge for this young talent, whether it is at the Emirates or elsewhere. If it is the latter I am fairly certain there will be a very long list of suitors based on his exploits so far in 2014/15.

It’s easy scoring no?

For those of you not following his progress he has been on loan at League 1 MK Dons and it would be fair to say he has been a success in a side that do try and play the right way. The statistics alone are enough to renew any Gunner’s interest but they alone are not enough.

The key to a real scouting report on a loanee is of course to get the local knowledge. We need to speak with someone who watches MK Dons regularly and I have been able to go one better in speaking to a Dons Season Ticket holder who also happens to be a Lifelong Gunner. However, before we get the low down from Chris Davies (@MKarmy46) as the stats are so bloody good we should not neglect then.

Benik Afobe 2014/15 MK Dons

In total Afobe has appeared on 25 occasions for the Dons and has 18 goals and 5 assists and 3 of these goals where in the domestic cups against higher league opposition, most notably two against Manchester United (Remember that night, Danny?)

That sort of scoring record cannot simply be dismissed as it was in primarily League One, particularly when you contrast it with Akpom’s 1 in 11 at the same level last season. Let’s move on and find out more about the new injury free and free scoring 21-year-old Gunner.

Dave – I think it would be fair to say most Arsenal fans may have written Afobe off but his exploits at MK have turned a few heads. Have you been surprised by his success Chris?

Chris – Benik Afobe’s success at The MK Dons has been a surprise to many, as not much was known about him to start off with! BUT what a surprise it has been!! As an Arsenal fan myself also, I was excited at the prospect of having another Gunner playing for us. (Mark Randall still making the MK first team) This season has been a breath of fresh air with the introduction of Benik. I feel he has transformed our side into a competitive force in League 1, and gelled with the rest of the team well. A surprise success maybe, but a very welcome one!!

Dave – We should not forget that this is a player that Barca tried to poach from us a teenager. He has had awful luck with injuries but can you now see what Barca saw in him?

Chris – With regards to Barca’s interest him a while back, I can understand why! Injuries aside (a fair few of them too unfortunately), I can see the skill and the pace that Barca I suspect would look for! He is an absolute “workhorse” off the ball too, always giving 110%! (Complete opposite of what the Bolton bloggers observed Jan 2013 interestingly.)

Dave – What are his main attributes and strengths as you see it and perhaps any flaws in his game?

Chris – Benik’s attributes/strengths can be seen all over the pitch! He is always looking for space, chasing back to defend and of course his predatory instinct up front. The only flaw I can see recently is that his vision can be clouded sometimes, possibly with the over willingness to prove himself to fans, team-mates and Manager alike! (Although I feel this is already done.)

Dave – He is scoring for fun in League 1 but what type of goals have they been in the main?

Chris – The goals that Benik has scored for The MK have not been dissimilar to a certain Danny Welbeck! A through ball from the wing or midfield, a great first touch, one on one with the keeper and slotting the ball home as if he’s not there! You can literally see the fear in most defenders’ game (and their eyes) when they try and to mark him!

Dave – He is still only 21 and has lost so much of his formative time to injury but we have other players of the same age competing for first team action at Arsenal. If he continues progressing could he still have a shot at the Emirates or is he Sanchez Watts Mark II?

Chris With regards to Benik playing at The Emirates, it would be foolish to NOT want him to play. Although with the younger, up and coming players Arsenal have at the moment (who have already had a taste of The Premiership and UCL), it would be difficult to see him work his way into the team! To be honest as an MK Dons fan as well, I wouldn’t like to see him go anywhere anytime soon as you could probably understand! I do feel though, that he won’t be staying for any length of time, as I feel he is far better than League 1 or even the Championship.

Dave – If you are not convinced he is at our level do you think he could still play at Premier League level?

Chris – Although I feel that Benik is not destined to play for The Arsenal, he certainly will be Premiership talent! (My opinion) We at the MK Dons are proud to have such a player, with MK Dons Manager Karl Robinson, debating who is the better striker between Benik and another MK Dons legend, Patrick Bamford, who has not had the best of times at Middlesborough! As The Dons we are lucky in so many ways – even though we are so “unliked”! I am sure Benin will progress onwards and upwards!