For much of his scholarship, Brian Okonkwo found himself behind Noah Cooper and Alexei Rojas in the goalkeeping pecking order, but he is now the first choice shot-stopper for Arsenal U21s.
Okonkwo kept his first clean sheet for the U21s in the 2-0 win away to Liverpool yesterday, following on from his appearances against Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers.
While Cooper has been told he will be released, isn’t entirely clear what has happened with the likes of Ovie Ejeheri and Rojas, while James Hillson and Hubert Graczyk are also available, but Okonkwo is in possession of the number one shirt for the U21s and he is determined to keep it.
Okonkwo had some teething problems in the defeat to Aston Villa but over the past couple of games there have been some indications of his ability as he has made some excellent saves.
The 18-year-old still has some developing to do, but he will certainly have learned a lot during short non-league loan spells at Hitchin Town, Leatherhead and Cheshunt.
There is uncertainty over whether Brian’s brother Arthur, who excelled on loan at Wrexham this season, will remain at Arsenal.
The younger Okonkwo, however, will look to impress for the U21s in the play-offs and perhaps beyond.
Okonkwo made just five appearances for Arsenal U18s before stepping up to represent the U21s but the club certainly seem to have a lot of faith in him now and he will be eager to seize his opportunity.
Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth 