Report: 6ft 5in Arsenal youngster has really wowed Arteta, coaches rate him extremely highly
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and the Gunners coaches rate Arthur Okonkwo ‘extremely highly’, according to Goal.com.
Charles Watts conducted an exclusive interview with the 20-year-old this week.
He revealed how much he has developed as a player and a person since committing his future to Arsenal.
Okonkwo has risen through the ranks at Hale End and is now a regular in Arsenal’s first-team training sessions.
He joined the Arsenal setup aged seven and earned his first professional contract in 2018 when he turned 17.
Okonkwo then moved permanently from Hale End to Arsenal’s senior training centre at London Colney.
Although there were struggles along the way, Arteta loved what he saw from the 6ft 5in ace in terms of talent and progress.
Okonkwo’s contract was due to expire last summer, but in July, he signed a new long-term deal at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta promoted him to his first-team squad, and he’s now working alongside Aaron Ramsdale and Bernd Leno in training.
Okonkwo hasn’t made his Arsenal senior debut just yet, but he has made several matchday squads this season.
Goal.com also claims the Gunners are aware that a loan move is the logical next stage of Okonkwo’s development.
“Going out and getting some senior football will be very important to my career and future,” Okonkwo told Goal.com.
“Getting loads of games will prepare me for one day hopefully being No.1 and playing in the Premier League.
“That’s my goal. Then, my future goal is winning trophies. But it’s all in stages.
“I just have to keep working every day, staying focused and, hopefully, in time, it will come together.”
