The current batch of Arsenal loanees perhaps isn’t one of the standout groups in comparison to previous years but some players are still faring well at their temporary clubs.
That is certainly the case for Arthur Okonkwo, with the goalkeeper having produced some excellent performances on loan at Wrexham this season as they chase promotion from League Two.
Last season Okonkwo experienced competitive senior football for the first time, taking in spells at Crewe Alexandra and Sturm Graz, winning the Austrian Cup with the latter. The shot-stopper earned much praise during both stints and it was a little surprising that he went on loan to a League Two club this season when the expectation was that he should be playing at a far higher level.
Okonkwo embraced the task he faced, however, and has been excellent for Wrexham so far, keeping seven clean sheets in 13 league appearances. Although he had a brief spell out with a jaw injury, the 22-year-old slotted back in immediately for Wrexham and kept consecutive clean sheets against Newport County and Swindon Town.
Although he is part of the first-team squad at Arsenal, Okonkwo has only featured for the senior side in friendlies and his contract is set to expire at the end of this season. It remains to be seen what will happen in that regard but even if he ends up leaving the club he certainly seems capable of being a success elsewhere.
Okonkwo, who first trained with the Arsenal first-team as a schoolboy in 2017, commands his penalty area well and has excellent reflexes. With uncertainty over Aaron Ramsdale’s long-term future and Karl Hein also in need of a loan spell it will be interesting to see if an opportunity opens up in the first-team squad at Arsenal should Okonkwo stay at the club.
Whatever transpires, Okonkwo looks set for a bright future.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
What is his distribution like? That will probably answer the question.
Ramsdale will be sold in the summer and possibly Hein too, it would be nice if Arthur could get time at Arsenal, although he might need more experience. Worst case scenario looks as though he could leave for free at the end of the season, which would be a shame as he’s a good young keeper. Would we get compensation, I’m sure the club would’ve offered him a new contract?
Don’t know if Arthur can play from the back. If he doesn’t, he has zero chance with Arteta.