All Nigeria Soccer initially reported that Arsenal’s Arthur Okonkwo is joining a League Two club on loan today, before hinting it would be Crewe Alexandra. Terms have already been agreed, and there’s no going back at this stage.
Fabrizio Romano has since confirmed Crewe as the destination, writing that a loan deal is in place until 2023. It will be Okonkwo’s first opportunity in senior football.
The goalkeeper was a regular in first-team training with Arsenal in 2021/22, featuring on the bench in seven Premier League matches last campaign.
But with so many goalkeepers at Arsenal right now, chances to actually feature on the pitch have been few and far between.
The Gunners had Aaron Ramsdale and Bernd Leno to choose between last season, two top keepers. Though Leno appears to be departing, new signing Matt Turner and returning loanees Runar Alex Runarsson and Karl Hein are keeping the squad busy.
Okonkwo’s best bet at regular football was always going to be a loan, and reports have been linking him with one all summer.
Arsenal appear to have found a club for the tall 20-year-old, and it’s up to him to show what he can do now.
