Followers

Arsenal keeper Okonkwo, 19, promoted to first-team after signing new deal as he thanks two stars for helping him settle

ARSENAL keeper Arthur Okonkwo has thanked Bernd Leno and Alexandre Lacazette after winning promotion to the first-team squad AND his first long-term contract.

Nigerian-born Okonkwo, 19, has played for England at Under-16, U-17 and U-18 level, having been with the Gunners for ten years.

Getty
Arthur Okonkwo says he has already been made to feel part of the first-team set-up by Arsenal’s senior players[/caption]
Getty
France frontman Alexandre Lacazette has been saluted for the way he welcomes Arsenal’s youngsters[/caption]
Getty
Gunners’ keeper Bernd Leno was also singled out for welcoming Arthur Okonkwo[/caption]

And after training with Mikel Arteta‘s senior squad last term, he praised fellow stopper Leno and striker Lacazette for making him “feel at home”.

Asked about his step-up by Arsenal‘s social media team, Okonkwu replied: “”Ever since I went over with the first team, they have always made me feel welcome and it just helps me. moving over, to feel one of them.

“I think that has been the biggest help for me.”

And when questioned about individual influences, he said: “I would say when I first went over…Laca. He always made me feel at home.

“With all the youngsters, he helps welcome everyone and speaks to you and tells you things to do, so he’s been a big help.

“I would also say Bernd. As a goalkeeper he has made me feel very welcome from the first time I was up there with him, so a big help from both of them.”

Okonkwo played eight games in the Premier League 2 and EFL Trophy last term.

And technical director Edu said: “It’s great that we have our third goalkeeper who has progressed from our academy and we look forward to seeing more young players coming through.

“Arthur has worked hard to get this far and we’re confident he’ll have an exciting future.”

Arteta himself added: “We are so happy another academy player has come through our system at the club. 

“Together with Arthur’s huge talent and hard work, we thank our colleagues at the academy for developing Arthur in recent years to get to this stage…


EURO 2020 FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS


“Arthur was working and travelling a lot with the first team last season and we have all seen his quality at first hand. 

“He is a strong young goalkeeper with great potential and we’re so pleased he has signed a new deal.

“He has absolutely earned his place in the first-team squad.”

⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds



* Read the full story...This article was originally published h

Who will be Next to leave the EU? Check out who is leading in our exclusive poll Poll

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Politicians are wrong about what the public want

Federal Suit Hits Soros for $10 Billion for ‘Political Meddling, Motivated Solely by Malice’

Furious Brussels tells EU states to ignore UK as huge trade deal erupts