Arokodare rewrites Wolves’ Nigerian history with one header against Arsenal

Following Tolu Arokodare's omission from the Super Eagles' AFCON 2025 squad list, the Wolves forward scored the only goal in their 2-1 loss to Arsenal….

Super Eagles attacker Tolu Arokodare has written his name into Wolverhampton Wanderers’ history after becoming the first Nigerian to score a Premier League goal for the club, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 25-year-old striker found the net in Wolves’ dramatic 2–1 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday, rising highest to power home a late header that briefly restored parity at the Emirates Stadium.

Although the Wanderers went on to concede a stoppage-time own goal, Arokodare’s strike was significant in Nigerian football history.

Arokodare or Olofinjana: Who is the first to score?

There had been some debate over whether former Nigeria international Seyi Olofinjana previously held the record.

However, while Olofinjana enjoyed a successful spell at Molineux between 2004 and 2008 and scored several goals for the club, none of those came in the Premier League.

Wolves were competing in the Championship throughout Olofinjana’s time at the club, meaning the former Genk star now stands alone as the first Nigerian to score for Wolves in the Premier League era.

A first @premierleague goal for @toluarokodare pic.twitter.com/yCfMYULa7g

— Wolves (@Wolves) December 14, 2025

The goal was also Arokodare’s maiden strike in England’s top flight and a timely reward for his growth since breaking into the Wolves’ first team this season.

Arsenal vs Wolves: What happened?

The match was a rollercoaster of emotions for the Yellow & Black fans. Arsenal took the lead through an own goal from Wolves’ goalkeeper Sam Johnstone in the 70th minute. Just when it looked like Wolves would leave empty-handed, the Nigerian international equalised in the 90th minute, heading in a well-placed cross to make it 1–1.

However, Wolves’ hopes were dashed in stoppage time when Yerson Mosquera scored an own goal under pressure from Gabriel Jesus, handing Arsenal the 2–1 victory.

Despite the loss, the Super Eagles striker’s historic goal stood out as the silver lining for the visitors.