Okonkwo Debuts For Arsenal U23s In The 2020-2021 Season, 581 Days After Last Appearance

Published: November 27, 2020

Promising goalkeeper of Nigerian descent Arthur Okonkwo made his first appearance for Arsenal U23s in the 2020-2021 season as they beat Derby County at Meadow Park on Friday evening, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Before today's fixture, Okonkwo's last game in the Premier League 2 came against Leicester City on April 26, 2019, 581 days ago.

The 19-year-old missed the whole of the 2018-2019 campaign as he was recovering from an undisclosed ailment.

Joining Okonkwo in the starting lineup against the Rams were Miguel Azeez, Ryan Alebiosu and Tim Akinola, while ex-Ajax Amsterdam winger Joel Ideho hopped off the bench in injury time.

Manager Steve Bould gave Okonkwo the nod over another teenage Nigeria-eligible goalkeeper in Ovie Ejeheri and he showed he deserves more game time with his performance against the Rams.

Twenty four minutes in, the Hale End Academy product pulled off a stunning save to deny Jahmal Hector-Ingram from equalising from the spot after Josh Shonibare was felled in the area.

Goals from Ben Cottrell, Nikolaj Moller and Kido Taylor-Hart gave the Gunners their third straight win in the Premier League 2.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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