Arthur Okonkwo: Set to Exploit Eagles’ Goalkeeping Situation

Having shown promise at the U18 level for England, Arthur Okonkwo’s dream was to one day, man the post for the Three Lions, but with no such opportunity coming his way, the 22-year-old is set to exploit the lackluster performances of the goalkeepers in the Super Eagles fold and therefore ready to switch international allegiance to Nigeria while the Nigerian Portuguese head coach is set to cash-in on the situation

A head of the January African Cup of Nations in Cote D’Ivoirie, one area that is giving the handlers of the Nigeria senior national team and fans sleepless nights is the goalkeeping department as the current crop of goalkeepers in the team’s fold are far from what could be described as safe hands.

However, several names have been mentioned to resolve the calamitous situation between the sticks for the Super Eagles before the biannual competition.

The latest on the list is Arsenal and former England U18 goalkeeper, Arthur Okonkwo, who has indicated willingness to play for Nigeria.

Okonkwo is currently out on loan with Wrexham, fighting at the top of League Two.

The goalkeeper impressed with Crewe Alexandra and Sturm Graz last season, and he seems to be doing well again with his new club.

However, Okonkwo’s club progress isn’t leading to international opportunities with England as It’s been over four years since the 22-year-old was involved with the England U18s, and it seems his head is now being turned.

According to reports, Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro has made contact with Okonkwo ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

Okonkwo would be eligible to make the nationality switch to Nigeria, and he’s reportedly indicated to Peseiro a willingness to do just that.

Peseiro has been tracking Okonkwo for a while, and the hope is that the Arsenal man will be cleared by the time AFCON comes around.

As well as Peseiro, former Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick apparently “put in a word” for Okonkwo.

Over a season and a bit in senior football, Okonkwo has made 52 appearances and kept 20 clean sheets. It’s been a strong start to the goalkeeper’s first-team career, and it’s little wonder Nigeria look to lure him away.

According to football statistics and transfer market website, Transfermarkt, the Arsenal-owned goalkeeper is the most valuable player in the EFL League Two.

The former England underage international of Nigerian descent joined Football League newcomers Wrexham on loan for the remainder of the season in the hours leading up to the close of the summer transfer window.

Okonkwo has a market value of two million euros, one million euros more than second-placed Louie Barry, who is on loan at Stockport County from Premier League side Aston Villa.

Okonkwo’s glittering performances during loan spells at Crewe Alexandra and Sturm Graz have seen his stock rise despite having less than a year left to run on his Arsenal contract.

And he has picked up where he left off by keeping four clean sheets for Wrexham to take his career total to 20.

Okonkwo is logically Wrexham’s most expensive player, ranked number 212 among all players classed as goalkeepers and is the 281st most valuable player born in 2001.

The Hale End Academy graduate has been on the books of Arsenal since the age of eight and has made 52 appearances as a professional across three teams.

The Nigeria-eligible goalkeeper has indeed revealed his admiration for former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar.

The 22-year-old shot-stopper started his career at the Arsenal academy and has had to go on three different loan deals to get playing time.

Okonkwo shared a little about himself in a recent podcast. He spoke about how watching Manchester United as a child with his dad influenced him.

“My favourite-ever goalkeeper is Van der Sar. My dad supported Manchester United, and growing up, I used to watch him a lot,” Okonkwo said.

“So definitely, he’s my most favourite keeper watching in the Premier League. He was a solid goalkeeper.”

The 22-year-old goalkeeper has played for England at youth level, but he is still eligible to play for the Super Eagles because he has Nigerian parents.

“I’m looking to improve all aspects of my play, but particularly my left foot. I like the different drills, and my favourite is the crossbar challenge. I start off trying to hit the bar with my left foot from the penalty spot, then move five or 10 yards further back, and then move back again. That helps me develop power and accuracy,” he once said.

The young goalkeeper joined Arsenal shortly after starting to play amateur football at the age of seven and he has been a Gunner ever since.

He has spent the last decade at the club and has progressed rapidly, first featuring on the bench for the U18 side when he was still an U15 player.

If Okonkwo can establish himself, he could be a great asset to the national team because of the paucity of top goalkeepers.