Arsenal U23 has not played since March, but Arthur Okonkwo has faced an even more frustrating situation, with the goalkeeper not performing for over a year.
The 18-year-old was unable to play due to a health problem, but it was a welcome sight to see him return to training with Steve Bould’s team at London Colney yesterday.
Prior to his setback, Okonkwo seemed almost confident of becoming Arsenal’s third-choice goalkeeper after producing some outstanding performances towards the end of the 2018/19 campaign.
Tall and a good ball distributor, he has excellent reflexes and organizes his defense well.
At the moment it is not clear exactly when U23 will play again, but the hope is that they will be in action at some point in September.
Okonkwo hopes to be able to play regularly, although he will recognize that there is significant competition in the goalkeepers department.
Karl Hein is highly valued by the club and has trained with the first team in the past few weeks. The Estonian also warmed up with the team ahead of the English Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley.
James Hillson will also be looking to make an impact after being used sparingly in his first season at the club, while Tom Smith is also back in business after a spell on the sidelines.
Deyan Iliev, meanwhile, has returned from his loan to Jagiellonia Bialystok, but may return on temporary transfer again.
With at least four U23 goalkeepers and others trying to push the U18, not to mention Matt Macey who occasionally needs playing time, it seems unlikely that Okonkwo will be able to play every game, as he was doing when he was completely in shape for the last time.
However, after the difficulties he faced last year, simply playing for him will be incredible for him.
–
Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
