Player Profile: Arthur Okonkwo

Arthur Okonkwo


By Oli Dickson Jefford

Aaron Ramsdale has made an immediate impact between the sticks at Arsenal but he isn’t the only young English goalkeeper at the club attracting praise.

Having been promoted to the first team squad at the start of the season, Arthur Okonkwo is highly rated by Mikel Arteta and could have a big future at the Emirates.

Here’s all you need to know about the 20-year-old.


Background

Okonkwo has been a long term fixture at the club, joining the academy at Hale End when he was just eight years old and progressing through the ranks ever since.

He was just 17 when he made his U23 debut and was part of the side that won the U18 league title in 2018/19.

Despite only turning 20 last September, he made seven appearances for the U23 team in the Premier League 2 last season, and has also featured for the U21 side in the past.

Okonkwo didn’t play at all during the 2019-20 campaign but has featured strongly since then, and was in the senior squad for both legs of Arsenal’s Europa League semi-final to Villarreal.

He made the move to the senior squad at the beginning of this season and now trains alongside the likes of Ramsdale and Bernd Leno, being handed the no.33 shirt.

The 20-year-old has also previously played internationally for the England U18 side.

Arsenal


Key attributes

Many people consider Okonkwo’s biggest strength to be his physicality, with his height a key advantage for him as a keeper.

At 6’5, the 20-year-old is a notable presence and is incredibly agile, meaning that he is able to fly across goal to stop shots.

Okonkwo has also been praised for his leadership skills on the pitch - while coaches say he is quiet off pitch, on the pitch he is incredibly vocal and considered a great communicator.

He has also been praised for his kicking accuracy.

Okonkwo is considered to be a good passer of the ball and adept at helping his defenders play out from the back, but is also recognised as being incredibly consistent with the accuracy of his goal kicks.


What next?

The next real step for Okonkwo would be to get some first team experience.

That is unlikely to be the case this season, with Ramsdale performing well and Leno likely to deputise if there are injury concerns or in cup competitions.

However, if Arsenal do qualify for European football next season there may be more opportunities for him due to the extra games on the club’s schedule.

It is also possible that he could be loaned out to gain some extra experience but that may be less likely considering how impressed many within the club are with him.


Photo Credit: Getty Images

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