17-Year-Old Nigerian Starlet Called Up To Train With Arsenal First Team Pre-Newcastle

Published: April 01, 2019

Promising Nigerian goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo was called up to train with Arsenal's first team ahead of this evening's Premier League meeting with Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners held their final training session on Sunday, with Okonkwo in attendance.

Although the 17-year-old has been registered for the second half of the Premier League, his chances of making his professional debut against the Magpies are slim as Bernd Leno and Petr Cech are ahead of him in the pecking order of goalkeepers.

Okonkwo impressed on his competitive debut for Arsenal U23s on Friday, posting a shutout in a 1-0 win against West Ham United.

He was among the three Nigerian teenagers that traveled with the Gunners first team to Dubai during the international break, the others being Xavier Amaechi and James Olayinka.

Nigerian Player of the Year nominee, Alex Iwobi is in contention to make his 28th Premier League appearance as he trained on Sunday.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com