Ex-Gunner Okoflex nets hat-trick as West Ham U23s hit six past Arsenal

Published: August 16, 2021

Former Arsenal schoolboy Armstrong Okoflex put in a man-of-the-match performance as West Ham U23s ripped apart Arsenal 6-1 in their Premier League 2 opener at the London Stadium on Monday night.

Signed from Celtic in June, Okoflex has been in his element since his move to West Ham, scoring against the Scottish Premiership giants in a pre-season friendly and has been one of the standout players for the U23s.

Hammers boss Dmitri Halajko handed the Irish-Nigerian striker his competitive youth team debut versus the Gunners, naming himin the starting lineup along with Mipo Odubeko and Ajibola Alese.

Goalkeeper Ovie Ejeheri, who had a poor game, Mazeed Ogungbo and Miguel Azeez started for the visitors.

Just like their senior team, the Young Gunners were caught overplaying at the back and it caused them as Patino was dispossessed before Odubeko smashed in the opener from inside the box in the 13th minute.

Okoflex's composed finish at minute 58 made it 2-0, the number 11 scored West Ham's fourth goal when he fired low past Ejeheri in the 68th minute before side-footing home to bag his hat-trick twelve minutes from time.

West Ham's other scorers in the second half were Conor Coventry and Thierry Never, while Arsenal managed to get a consolation with Azeez converting a spot kick in stoppage time.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : whufc.com

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