Henry Onyekuru: Should Arsenal & Nigeria get excited?

 

The Eupen forward is having a breakthrough season, and has earned a national team call-up, but what exactly does he bring to the table?

Henry Onyekuru's invitation to the Super Eagles was long overdue. There had been some incredulity at his absence from the initial squad named by Gernot Rohr, and even now he is only in by virtue of the unavailability of striker Olarenwaju Kayode for the friendlies against Corsica and Togo.

Not that it matters how he got in, only that he has, and finally has the chance to showcase his abilities to the coaching crew. They are considerable, as his output with modest Eupen no doubt attests: 24 goals and nine assists in 41 games across all competitions are eye-catching numbers for one so young.

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You can interpret it either of two ways, based on the standing of the Belgian league and Eupen. He may well be a big fish in a small pond, which might explain the initial reluctance to call him up (though to be a big fish anywhere at all at 19 is probably
not the worst thing in the world); or his excellence with little may be demonstrative of his ability to do even better at a higher level.
With interest from the Premier League, most notably in the shape of Arsenal and West Ham United, we certainly will find out soon enough. Admittedly, the peculiarities of the English top-flight do lend themselves to his talents: Onyekuru is rapid from a standing start, boasting superb acceleration, and is unerringly direct.

Rohr | Initially unconvinced by Onyekuru?

While he can play all across the front line, he favours the left as it gives him the space he needs to go through the gears, as well as come inside on his stronger right foot. He will usually receive the ball deeper and wider, and try to roar past his marker on the outside, before then cutting across him to get goalside. This means he cannot be stopped without recourse to a foul.

His low centre of gravity (he stands at about 5ft 9in) enables quick changes of direction, but his dribbling style really isn’t defined by it, unlike most players his size. He does have good close control, but relies more on his speed and trickery, often looking he has shown too much to the opponent before snatching it away. Perhaps it is to do with the fact he runs and dribbles with a straight stance, not hunching – he looks bigger than he is, and dribbles like a taller player.

In front of goal, Onyekuru is an improviser. He possesses good movement, especially when he has to spin in behind a full-back; he is often up and away before they even know it. When through, he can finish in a number of ways; though, like most speedsters, he seems to enjoy going past the goalkeeper. That doesn’t preclude dinks, curled finishes in the manner of his idol and namesake Thierry Henry, and even a pirouette (he didn’t score with that one, but he did win a penalty).

There is a lot to admire about him, but he is still a teenager, so there are a lot of areas wherein he can improve. That is only natural. His aptitude for the defensive side of the game, as well as his decision-making, are still undeveloped (the latter especially).



Really, it is doubtful how good a move to East London would be for him at this stage, especially considering West Ham’s approach without the ball. The Hammers are not exactly a model of stability, all things considered, and he is unlikely to make a mark at such a young age where the demands and expectation are immediate and stratospheric.

A move to Arsenal could be more appropriate, although that would represent an even bigger step-up for a teenager who's yet to taste competitive football outside Belgium. How many players have made that kind of leap...let alone to do it successfully?

Perhaps the biggest weakness in Onyekuru’s game is a streak of single-mindedness. It can manifest as overconfidence or as selfishness, but too often he wants to go alone. He will often get the better of his marker, and opt for a shot from an angle rather than lay in a teammate in a better position centrally.
In spite of these – and one might even chalk it up to youth – there is plenty to be excited about where the Eupen forward is concerned.

The prospect of a link up with Rohr’s attacking prodigies is uber-appealing; one need only think what a front four including him, Isaac Success, Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho could get up to, for instance.