'That's my goal': Arsenal player makes it clear he wants to leave the club on loan next season
Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has said he wants a loan move next season to get more regular gametime.
Stopper Okonkwo penned a new deal with the Gunners ahead of this season and has been promoted to third choice by Mikel Arteta.
That has seen him get on the bench for senior matches but now he wants a campaign of playing every week for a different club.
There will be churn once again between the sticks at Arsenal, with Bernd Leno set to leave to be replaced by Matt Turner, with Aaron Ramsdale now the clear number one.
Okonkwo said his long term goal is to be Arsenal number one, but Ramsdale is among the many goalkeepers who needed loans away, further down the football pyramid to get to where they are now
He told Goal: “Going out and getting some senior football will be very important to my career and future.
“Getting loads of games will prepare me for one day hopefully being number one 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.”
The issue for Okonkwo is that Arsenal have a young first choice goalkeeper in Ramsdale. If things go to plan, he will have the gloves for the next ten years.
Okonkwo may have to decide whether he wants to be the deputy, or build a career as a number one somewhere else in the Premier League.
Of course, that’s a way off yet and if he does get his wish of a loan exit, he needs to find a club who will play him every week, at which he can learn more about the demands of playing men’s football.
Playing games which matter every week and proving yourself to hardened senior pros is a vital part of any young player’s development and Okonkwo clearly feels he is ready for it.
