Arsenal’s first-team will be preparing to face Chelsea in their crucial Premier League match today.
However, that wouldn’t have stopped some of their stars keeping one eye on what their teammates were doing away from the club.
A number of Arsenal’s players were in action yesterday as the FA Cup first round kicked off.
One side who enjoyed a last-minute win was League Two side Crewe Alexandra.
Former Everton forward Bassala Sambou scored in the 92nd minute to secure Crewe’s place in the second round against Leyton Orient.
However, the man of the match award went to on-loan Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.
The 21-year-old kept a clean sheet on his FA Cup debut, producing five saves and making 30 accurate passes to his teammates.
Gabriel Martinelli was impressed with Okonkwo’s performance for the League Two side.
The Brazilian took to social media to congratulate his Arsenal teammate.
Martinelli impressed with Okonkwo
Okonkwo took to Instagram yesterday to celebrate his team’s win.
“FA Cup debut with a clean sheet & MOTM. Into the hat.” Okonkwo said.
Martinelli replied to the young goalkeeper, suggesting that Okonkwo was on fire after his latest performance.
The move to Crewe is Okonkwo’s first spell away from The Emirates in his career.
He’s immediately established himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, and already has six clean sheets in all competitions.
Mikel Arteta is reportedly a big fan of Okonkwo, and will be glad to see he’s doing so well away from the club.
Aaron Ramsdale shared earlier this season that Okonkwo struggled to complete his first training session at Crewe as it was so intense.
Okonkwo doesn’t have a straightforward path to first-team football at Arsenal.
Ramsdale and Matt Turner are both currently ahead of him in the pecking order.
He’s got a great opportunity to show he’s good enough to play regular football in League Two.
Martinelli may not be the only person who was impressed with Okonkwo at Arsenal yesterday.