The Tottenham Hotspur newbie found out the hard way just how much pressure he has on his shoulders after making his debut for the Premier League outfit back in August.
Dominic Solanke enjoyed a largely positive Spurs bow in that 1-1 draw with Leicester City.
He lead the line well, embarked on a couple of bustling solo runs, and gave Ange Postecoglou’s side the sort of physical presence they had lacked since Harry Kane departed for Bayern Munich.
So, despite squandering a couple of presentable opportunities, the critical reaction towards Solanke’s performance in some sections of the media felt brutally over the top.
After missing those clashes with Everton and Newcastle United due to an ankle injury, a ‘very clever’ £65 million signing from AFC Bournemouth has not yet had the chance to hit back at his critics.
But, presuming he is passed fit in time for Sunday, a maiden Spurs goal against Arsenal in this weekend’s North London derby would go some way to repaying Tottenham’s club-record investment.
Dominic Solanke seeks first Tottenham Hotspur goal
Arsenal legend Paul Merson is certainly not taking the threat of Solanke lightly.
A tally of 21 in his final season at Bournemouth suggests that – if Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and co continue to provide a steady stream of ammunition – the goals will soon start flowing for the England international in his new surroundings.
“Dominic Solanke is a good signing and takes Tottenham to another level,” Gunners icon Merson tells Sky Sports, adding that media scrutiny on his shoulders is simply part and parcel of a big-money move to a high-profile club.
“What he’s got to get used to is, if you miss a few good chances, then you’re under the microscope. With no disrespect, when you’re playing for Bournemouth and you miss three chances, there are no headlines about it.
“He’ll have to get used to being at a big club and putting his chances away. When he starts scoring, I think he could get 20 goals this season.”
Merson cannot help but look with a degree of envy at Tottenham’s new number nine.
Despite the best efforts of an ‘outstanding’ Kai Havertz – increasingly effective when leading the line under Mikel Arteta – there are many Arsenal supporters fearing that a lack of a classic, prolific centre-forward will see The Gunners fall short again in another Premier League title race.
“Arsenal might be short of a centre forward,” Merson wonders, last season’s runners-up bringing in only a midfielder in the all-action Mikel Merino and £33 million defender Riccardo Calafiori.
“I’m not sure they did enough in the transfer window.”
Arsenal may be without Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard
Declan Rice will be unavailable following his red card against Brighton last time out. Martin Odegaard is also a doubt after picking up a worrying ankle injury on Norway duty.
Merson feels that Arteta could therefore put his faith in Gabriel Jesus this weekend. The Brazilian has a point to prove after netting only four goals in 27 Premier League games last term, and having lost his starting spot to Havertz.
“With Rice suspended, you’d think Kai Havertz probably drops back into midfield because Mikel Merino is injured. Gabriel Jesus is injured – and wouldn’t score 20 goals – and they got rid of Eddie Nketiah, so now you’re looking at having to play someone else up there,” Merson adds.
“He could play Leandro Trossard or even Raheem Sterling (through the middle). But that’s a big ask for a winger to play up front at a new club.
“You might get away with it for two or three games playing a false nine, but you wouldn’t want to go seven, eight, nine games with one.”
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