Benik Afobe : From League Two To Premier League Top Dog

Benik Afobe might have been playing in the English third tier of football (League One) for MK Dons one year ago and also played in the Championship just a few days ago, but all that seems to have changed in a 
split second. As the Bournemouth forward prepares to meet his old side (Arsenal) this weekend , it is important to note what might have gone wrong for both parties . 

Three goals in three matches is not a small feat to achieve in the EPL unless you are talking about Spain (Messi and Ronaldo) or Italy(Higuian). Afobe whose parents are from DR Congo, made the effortless transition from Champindhip to top flight football after Bournemount parted with £10 million to make him their record signing . At 22, Afobe still has a whole lot going in his favour . 

The irony in all these is that while Afobe scores goals for fun, his former team Arsenal have now gone 270 minutes (4 hours and 30 minute or better still three matches ) without scoring a single goal in the EPL. This has seen Arsenal lose out as league leaders down to fourth place and worse still behind bitter rivals Tottenham on goal difference. While Theo Walcott and Oliver  Giroud have both lost confidence and form when it mattered most , the likes of Mesut Ozil  and Aaron Ramsey have been anonymous to say the least in matches. Ozil in particular looks jaded and a shadow of the "European King of Assists". 

Afobe isn't new to goals as he scored an impressive 40 goals for Arsenal in the 2007/2008 season for the U16s. He was however in hot demand after that but was loaned to several clubs as he struggled to make a name in professional football. 

As if that wasn't enough , Afobe had a disappointing spell in Bolton where he scored only two goals in 20 games in the 2012/2013 season .

Things did get better as he scored 10 goals in 22 league games for MK Dons in League two , winning promotion to the EPL in the process and earning £2 million for Wenger when he swapped North London for  Molineux (Wolves).  He also had scored 19 goals in all competitions for MK Dons in all competitions before Christmas . 

In total Afobe spent 15 years for Arsenal before leaving for Wolves. Afobe has been so prolific that only Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane have scored more goals in English football in the past two years. So far this season Afobe averages a clear chance in every 59 minutes and tops the likes of Sergio Aguero , Odion Ighalo , Jamie Vardy.   

Afobe is not just your typical number 9, he is a striker who works his socks off, can hold up play and can play with his back to the post. In 90 minutes against Arsenal,  Arsene Wenger will be praying his old mistake of selling Afobe doesn't cost him the game and also the EPL title at the end of the season . For the neutrals nothing feels so good watching Afobe banging goals for fun. 

Benik Afobe has shown it's not about you falling but it's about you getting up and looking ahead of you. Nothihg is permanent in life, so is football.