Arsenal first-choice goalkeeper Bernd Leno has admitted that he has been left impressed by what he has seen from young Nigeria-eligible goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.
An England youth international who has played non-binding games for the Young Lions, Okonkwo has been rubbing shoulders with the Gunners experienced goalkeepers Leno, Mathew Ryan and Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson in training sessions, most recently at London Colney on Friday.
Okonkwo rose in the pecking order of goalkeepers following the permanent transfer of Matt Macey to Hibernian in the January transfer window, before Arsenal made a loan move for Brighton & Hove's Ryan.
The 19-year-old was promoted to third choice goalkeeper for the Emirates FA Cup third round clash vs Newcastle United three weeks ago.
Asked to comment on the young goalkeepers coming through at Arsenal, players like Okonkwo, James Hilson and Karl Hein, Leno told Arsenal's Matchday Programme : "I have to say all of those guys are top guys, they are very motivated and really want to learn each day.
"When they train with us you can see how much they have improved because the quality in first-team training is obviously very high.
"They all look like very good".
"When they train with us you can see how much they have improved because the quality in first-team training is obviously very high.
"They all look like very good".
Okonkwo has recorded an impressive nine career clean sheets in seventeen appearances combined for Arsenal's U18 and U23 teams.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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