Benik Afobe
Encyclopedia
Benik Tunani Afobe is an English footballer of Congolese
descent from Leyton
, London
who plays as a striker for Arsenal
.
He made his debut for the Arsenal Reserves at the age of 16 and scored 11 goals in 13 appearances for Arsenal's under 18 squad. He was part of the England squad that won the U-17 European Championship in May 2010. He signed a professional contract with Arsenal in February 2010.
when he was six; he was playing for a Sunday team in Dagenham when he was spotted by an Arsenal scout. He scored 40 goals for the U-16s in 2007–08, 11 goals in 13 appearances in 2008–09, and 21 goals in 24 appearances for Arsenal U-18 in 2009–10. He was voted Arsenal's U-18 player of the season. He signed a professional contract with Arsenal in February 2010, after reportedly being targeted by Barcelona
. The Guardian has called him "powerful and pacy" and commented that he "is already being furtively whispered up as the next, next big thing." Afobe impressed on his first-team debut for Arsenal
in the 2011 Emirates Cup
against American side New York Red Bulls. He came on for the injured Jack Wilshere
on 7 minutes, however he was then substituted on 74 minutes for Andrey Arshavin
as he had a groin injury.
club Huddersfield Town
on loan until December 2010. He made his debut as a substitute the same night in the 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday
at Hillsborough Stadium
. After the game, Huddersfield manager Lee Clark
praised Afobe, calling him "another fantastic young player from the Arsenal production line." Afobe scored his first goals in professional football as Huddersfield beat Rotherham United
5–2 away from home in the Football League Trophy
. Afobe made it 3–1 with a clinical header inside the box, before finishing off the scoring with a well-taken finish in the second half.
Following a broken leg to Anthony Pilkington
, Benik got an extended run in the Huddersfield starting line-up in the second half of the season which saw him pick up four Man of the Match
awards in a row, which also included 5 goals and a number of important assists, taking Huddersfield's unbeaten record from December to 24 league games. Despite Benik's and Huddersfield's great form, they narrowly missed out on automatic promotion and lost in the final of the play-offs. In total Benik made 32 appearances with 8 goals and 10 assists for the Terriers.
In 2008, Afobe was part of the England U-16 team that won the Victory Shield
, scoring four goals in three games, equalling Michael Owen
's England U-16 record. He was also part of the England U-17 squad that won the U-17 European Championship in May 2010. The Guardians sports blog called him "among the best of the crop" and "a prolific striker". He joined the England U-19 squad
in August 2010.
In June 2011, Afobe was called to England U-20
team for the Fifa U-20 world cup in Colombia. However he was withdrawn from the squad from Arsenal to join in the first team Pre Season camp in Germany. Afobe was also called up to replace Manchester United's Danny Welbeck from England u21s in August, however he pulled out again due to his groin injury once again.
.
International
Congolese
Congoese may refer to:* Something of, from, or related to the Republic of the Congo in Africa, located west of the Congo River* Something of, from, or related to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa, through which the Congo River flows...
descent from Leyton
Leyton
Leyton is an area of north-east London and part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest, located north east of Charing Cross. It borders Walthamstow and Leytonstone; Stratford in Newham; and Homerton and Lower Clapton in the London Borough of Hackney....
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
who plays as a striker for Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
.
He made his debut for the Arsenal Reserves at the age of 16 and scored 11 goals in 13 appearances for Arsenal's under 18 squad. He was part of the England squad that won the U-17 European Championship in May 2010. He signed a professional contract with Arsenal in February 2010.
Arsenal
Afobe joined the Arsenal F.C. AcademyArsenal F.C. Academy
Arsenal Football Club Academy are the youth team of Arsenal Football Club. They currently play in the FA Premier Academy League, the highest level of youth football in England...
when he was six; he was playing for a Sunday team in Dagenham when he was spotted by an Arsenal scout. He scored 40 goals for the U-16s in 2007–08, 11 goals in 13 appearances in 2008–09, and 21 goals in 24 appearances for Arsenal U-18 in 2009–10. He was voted Arsenal's U-18 player of the season. He signed a professional contract with Arsenal in February 2010, after reportedly being targeted by Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
. The Guardian has called him "powerful and pacy" and commented that he "is already being furtively whispered up as the next, next big thing." Afobe impressed on his first-team debut for Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in the 2011 Emirates Cup
Emirates Cup
The Emirates Cup is an annual two-day pre-season football tournament hosted by English Premier League club Arsenal and held at the Emirates Stadium, the club's home ground...
against American side New York Red Bulls. He came on for the injured Jack Wilshere
Jack Wilshere
Jack Andrew Garry Wilshere is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Arsenal and the England national team....
on 7 minutes, however he was then substituted on 74 minutes for Andrey Arshavin
Andrey Arshavin
Andrey Arshavin is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for English Premier League club Arsenal FC and is captain of the Russian national team....
as he had a groin injury.
Loan to Huddersfield Town
On 2 November 2010, he agreed on terms to join West YorkshireWest Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
club Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
on loan until December 2010. He made his debut as a substitute the same night in the 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
at Hillsborough Stadium
Hillsborough Stadium
Hillsborough Stadium is the home of Sheffield Wednesday football club, Sheffield, England. Football has been played at the ground since it was opened on 2 September 1899, when Wednesday moved from their original ground at Olive Grove. Today it is a 39,812 capacity all-seater stadium, making it the...
. After the game, Huddersfield manager Lee Clark
Lee Clark
Lee Robert Clark is an English former footballer, and is currently the manager of Huddersfield Town. As a player, Clark had two spells at Newcastle United, and was their reserve team manager and coach after he retired...
praised Afobe, calling him "another fantastic young player from the Arsenal production line." Afobe scored his first goals in professional football as Huddersfield beat Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
5–2 away from home in the Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
. Afobe made it 3–1 with a clinical header inside the box, before finishing off the scoring with a well-taken finish in the second half.
Following a broken leg to Anthony Pilkington
Anthony Pilkington
Anthony Neil James Pilkington is an Irish professional football player. He plays for Norwich City, and plays on either wing or as a forward.-Stockport County:...
, Benik got an extended run in the Huddersfield starting line-up in the second half of the season which saw him pick up four Man of the Match
Man of the match
In sport, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket before being adopted by other sports. This can be a...
awards in a row, which also included 5 goals and a number of important assists, taking Huddersfield's unbeaten record from December to 24 league games. Despite Benik's and Huddersfield's great form, they narrowly missed out on automatic promotion and lost in the final of the play-offs. In total Benik made 32 appearances with 8 goals and 10 assists for the Terriers.
International career
He captained England under-12s at the Junior World Cup in France in 2005.In 2008, Afobe was part of the England U-16 team that won the Victory Shield
Victory Shield
The Victory Shield is an annual football tournament competed for by the under-16 teams of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. The competition is broadcast live in the UK by Sky Sports who also sponsor the competition...
, scoring four goals in three games, equalling Michael Owen
Michael Owen
Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997...
's England U-16 record. He was also part of the England U-17 squad that won the U-17 European Championship in May 2010. The Guardians sports blog called him "among the best of the crop" and "a prolific striker". He joined the England U-19 squad
England national under-19 football team
-Other matches:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Denmark.- Recent call-ups :The following players have also been called up to the England under-19 squad and remain eligible.-Past squads:...
in August 2010.
In June 2011, Afobe was called to England U-20
England national under-20 football team
- Round of 16 :-Friendlies:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup running from 29 July to the 20 August 2011.-Recent call-ups:...
team for the Fifa U-20 world cup in Colombia. However he was withdrawn from the squad from Arsenal to join in the first team Pre Season camp in Germany. Afobe was also called up to replace Manchester United's Danny Welbeck from England u21s in August, however he pulled out again due to his groin injury once again.
Personal life
His father Afobe moved to the UK from Congo with his wife in 1990 due to political unrest. He was born in Leyton, and he has two sisters and one brother. He attended Monteagle Primary School and Jo Richardson Community School both in DagenhamDagenham
Dagenham is a large suburb in East London, forming the eastern part of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and located east of Charing Cross. It was historically an agrarian village in the county of Essex and remained mostly undeveloped until 1921 when the London County Council began...
.
Career statistics
- Statistics accurate as of 7 May 2011
Club Season League Cup Europe Total Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Arsenal Arsenal F.C.Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...2010-11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Huddersfield Town Huddersfield Town F.C.Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
(Loan)2010-11 28 5 8 4 3 2 0 0 0 32 8 10 Arsenal Arsenal F.C.Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...2011-12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Career total 28 5 8 4 3 2 0 0 0 32 8 10
Honours
Arsenal- Premier Academy LeaguePremier Academy LeagueThe Premier Academy League is the top level of youth football in England. It is contested between the Academy sides of The Premier League and some Football League clubs, including Welsh side Cardiff City...
: 2009–20102009–10 Premier Academy LeagueThe 2009–10 Premier Academy League Under–18 season is the thirteenth edition since the establishment of The Premier Academy League, and the sixth under the current make-up....
International
- Victory ShieldVictory ShieldThe Victory Shield is an annual football tournament competed for by the under-16 teams of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. The competition is broadcast live in the UK by Sky Sports who also sponsor the competition...
: 20082008 Victory ShieldThe Victory Shield 2008 is the 63rd edition of the Victory Shield, an annual football tournament that began in 1925 and is competed for by the Under 16 level teams of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. It was held from 3 October to 29 November 2008 and won by England.-Venues:-Final... - UEFA European Under-17 Football ChampionshipUEFA European Under-17 Football ChampionshipThe UEFA U-17 Championship is an annual football competition organised by the sport's European governing body, UEFA. From 1982 to 2001 it was an Under-16 event.This meeting serves as a preliminary competition for the FIFA U-17 World Cup every other year....
: 20102010 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship-Group B:---------------------Knockout Map:-Semifinals:-----Final:-Goalscorers:6 goals Francisco Alcácer3 goals Connor Wickham Gerard Deulofeu Artun Akçakin2 goals Ross Barkley Anthony Koura Paul Pogba Yaya Sanogo Ricardo Esgaio...
External links
- Arsenal profile at Arsenal.com
- England profile at TheFA.com