Taiwo Awoniyi has been showing how good he can be of late. He seems to have hit his stride and is playing his best football to end the season.
The Super Eagles striker scored again over the weekend when Nottingham Forest ended Arsenal’s title hopes with a famous 1-0 win over the Gunners on Saturday evening.
TAIWO AWONIYI GIVES FOREST THE LEAD OVER ARSENAL 😳
AS IT STANDS, MAN CITY WILL BE PL CHAMPIONS TODAY 😱 pic.twitter.com/2JOLbS1qHC
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 20, 2023
After a poor pass from an arsenal player, Morgan Gibbs-White stole the ball and ran forward with Awoniyi alongside him. Gibbs-White found the Nigerian and his finish over Aaron Ramsdale was brilliant.
Awoniyi's Recent Form Has Been Rather Impressive
Over the last month, Awoniyi has shown the form that made Nottingham Forest break the bank to sign him. His goal last weekend made it the fifth time he has found the back of the net in his last three games.
Taiwo Awoniyi scores for Nottingham Forest vs. Chelsea.
Here's the story of how the Nigerian made it to the Premier League. pic.twitter.com/Fsq0V1a5LA
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) May 13, 2023
His goal tally for the season in the Premier League to nine for the season, out-scoring the likes of Chelsea top scorer, Kai Havertz, Kevin De Bruyne, Bruno Fernandes and Cody Gakpo. He also has the same amount of goals as Liverpool’s €100 million signing, Darwin Nunez. Not bad for a first Premier League campaign.
It was barely smooth sailing for the 25 year old this season as he has been met by different obstacles. The newly promoted Forest team had long spells where they were in danger of getting relegated after waiting almost two decades to get to the top flight.
Along with Awoniyi, a large number of players were signed over the summer as well as in January and finding the chemistry needed has not been easy for the team.
Injuries Have Limited Awoniyi
Staying fit has also been an issue for Awoniyi this season as injuries have not helped him adapt to English football properly. He has missed 87 days through injury this season with a total of 15 games being played in that time. Overcoming his injury woes earlier in the season has helped him find his rhythm.
When Awoniyi did play, he was sometimes used as a winger and not a center forward. Because of his blistering pace, physicality and work rate, he was put on the left in order to do a shift defensively and allow the likes of Brennan Johnson to push forward. His pace and power on the counter attack off the left wing was also an asset.
Even though playing on the left had its advantages for the team, it was not his natural position. Being a center forward suited him better and more playing time in that position has yielded more goals for him and his team.
⚽️ Most PL goals since the start of May
5️⃣ Taiwo Awoniyi
4️⃣ Ilkay Gundogan
3️⃣ 5 players pic.twitter.com/8facSVdJyt— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) May 20, 2023
His goals late on in the campaign have helped Forest stay clear of relegation this season so the goal for him will be to build on his good work.
Himself and his team have struggled for consistency this season but surviving in the Premier League for another season will create the chance to develop some chemistry in the team and come back stronger next season.
Super Eagles supporters will be hoping Awoniyi continues his good form for the remainder of the season and beyond as AFCON 2023 approaches.
Awoniyi is now on course to hit double digits for Nottingham Forest in his first campaign with the Reds. You can bank on that happening, using the insights to play along and earn big rewards. Use the Betway sign up code and 1xbet promo code if you're a new user in Nigeria.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
