Talented young Nigerian goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo is making good progress at Arsenal and took another step forward in his bid to make his first team debut for the Gunners.

Okonkwo, who celebrated his 16th birthday last month, finally made his competitive debut for the U18s in a 2-0 loss to Leicester City at the Leicester City Training Ground  on Saturday afternoon.

The England youth international got a chance to make his debut due to a number of promising academy players being rested ahead of the U23s clash with Tottenham on Monday and Tuesday's League Cup match against Norwich City.

He had been included in Arsenal's 18-player squad for U18 Premier League games on ten occasions prior to today's clash against Leicester City.

Okonkwo is thought to be highly regarded by manager Arsene Wenger as the Frenchman invited him to train with the first team last month ahead of the League Cup match against Doncaster Rovers at the Emirates Stadium.

Super Eagles striker Alex Iwobi and Chuba Akpom are products of Arsenal's Hale End Academy.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : flickr.com