Arsenal have reportedly offered Gunners academy goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo a new long-term contract, according to All Nigeria Soccer.
The 18-year-old has come through the ranks at Hale End after joining the Gunners setup aged seven and penned his first professional contract with the North London club in September 2018 along with Bukayo Saka.
Okonkwo, who has already trained with the Arsenal first team and travelled with the squad for their Europa League quarter-final second-leg tie at Napoli last year, is currently contracted to the Gunners until the summer of 2021.
According to All Nigeria Soccer, Arsenal have now opened a line of communication with Okonkwo and his camp over a new deal which would commit the 6ft 4in stopper to the Gunners until the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
Okonkwo enjoyed a breakthrough season at Under-18 and Under-23 level last term, making 14 appearances across all competitions, keeping seven clean sheets and conceding just 12 goals, and was expected to cement his spot in the side this season if not for injury.
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Okonkwo is highly thought of at London Colney and, with just 12 months left on his contract, it’s a good time for Arsenal to offer him a new deal.
One of the best aspects of what has turned out to be a difficult season for Arsenal is how many youngsters have made their first-team breakthrough.
This will surely be food for thought for Okonkwo as he continues to progress, with a view to regular Under-23s football and eventually a spot in the first-team squad.