Phil Parkinson delighted to retain Arsenal’s Okonkwo at Wrexham Arsenal’s promising young goalkeeper, Arthur Okonkwo, will continue his loan spell at Wrexham until the end of the season,
Phil Parkinson delighted to retain Arsenal’s Okonkwo at Wrexham
Arsenal’s promising young goalkeeper, Arthur Okonkwo, will continue his loan spell at Wrexham until the end of the season, following the expiration of Arsenal’s recall clause on 21 January.
Wrexham’s manager, Phil Parkinson, has expressed his contentment with Okonkwo’s significant contribution to the team.
Arsenal‘s young goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, who joined Wrexham on loan last September, will remain at the club until the end of the season, much to the delight of Wrexham‘s manager Phil Parkinson.
This follows the expiration of Arsenal’s recall clause, which was set for 21 January.
Parkinson expressed his satisfaction with Okonkwo’s performances thus far and his commitment to the club. “It’s a massive signing for us to keep Arthur, he’s been exceptional for us,” he said. He praised Okonkwo for fully integrating into the club, emphasising, “He’s a great lad and has bought in to everything the club is about. He’s moved up here and he’s been great to have around, but not just that, he’s a terrific goalkeeper.”
The Arsenal academy product has been pivotal in Wrexham’s push for promotion, making 20 appearances and keeping 10 clean sheets. His performances have helped Wrexham climb to second in the League Two table, keeping them in contention for consecutive promotions.
Okonkwo himself expressed confidence in his stay at Wrexham, saying, “I had no doubts that I was going to be here until the end of the season.” He added that the Arsenal assistant coach responsible for loan goalkeepers has been in constant communication, ensuring his commitment to Wrexham.
Parkinson also highlighted the importance of retaining players like Okonkwo during the transfer window. “Elliot Lee and Paul Mullin have signed new contracts, we’ve kept Arthur, that’s a very good window so far,” he commented. He noted that any additional signings would be a bonus, emphasising the significance of maintaining a strong squad.
As mentioned by Okonkwo, Arsenal‘s loans manager has been in regular contact with Wrexham, a point Parkinson was keen to stress. “They’re very interested in Arthur’s progress, and they know we’re looking after him well,” he said. This partnership between Arsenal and Wrexham has provided Okonkwo with an excellent stage to showcase his skills, playing in front of packed houses and under the pressure of an expectant fan base.
Wrexham, owned by Hollywood stars, is currently focusing on the fourth round of the FA Cup, where they face a challenging fixture against Championship side Blackburn Rovers on Monday, 29 January.
Parkinson is looking forward to the match, saying, “We’ve got to this stage after coming through some really tough games. What a great opportunity it is to go to Ewood Park with 7,000 of our own fans behind us.” He stressed the importance of giving a strong account in the FA Cup, while acknowledging the league remains their top priority.
