Arsenal’s last two games didn’t go to plan but they were still significant occasions for Brian Okonwko, with the 19-year-old selected as the third-choice goalkeeper for both first-team fixtures.
With Tommy Setford out injured and Alexei Rojas on international duty with Colombia U20s, Okonkwo (the younger brother of former Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur) travelled with the first-team squad for the Premier League game away to Brighton.
Okonkwo also warmed up with David Raya and 16-year-old Jack Porter ahead of last night’s Carabao Cup game at home to Newcastle.
It wasn’t the first time that Okonkwo has been involved in a first-team environment as he previously had loan spells at non-league clubs Hitchin, Letherhead and Cheshunt.
A tall goalkeeper who commands his penalty area well, Okonkwo signed scholarship terms with Arsenal in 2022 before progressing to a professional contract last summer.
So far this season Okonkwo has featured twice in Premier League 2 as well as making two appearances in the EFL Trophy.
Okonkwo’s recent involvement with the first-team should prove to be very beneficial for his development.
Arsenal U21s, meanwhile, are back in action on Monday night with an away game against Norwich City.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Neto should have got a chance last night
Cup-tied
The dad of the Okonkwo brothers was a GK?
After the pub last night I was broke, soaked in booze, but still sober.
Had 23 shots but only 3 were on target.
Oh ooh daily mail is reporting the premier league player in his 30s accused of race since 2022 is getting closer to prosecution
It’s not going to reflect well on whichever club he’s at. If it was our club I would hope non negotiables would stretch to be accused of this. I mean if being late and stuck in tragic means you’re frozen out of the team how would this person even be allowed near the team.
“Hitchin, Letherhead and Cheshunt.” You could be inventing those names and I’d have no clue, I’d just go with it. “a loan spell to in League Two sides Farcewell, Whiskerton or Fringemouth is also being considered for the second half of this season.”
Don’t we have wingers and attacking players in our youth. Teams. Given our current paucity of forward options is there no one from the academy that can step up. Or is Arteta not just looking at all in that direction.