Snapped : Talented Goalkeeper Okonkwo With Arsenal First Team Squad At Villa Park

Published: February 06, 2021

Promising goalkeeper of Nigerian descent Arthur Okonkwo will not make his English Premier League debut for Arsenal when they take on Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime kick-off.

As at Wednesday, the England youth-teamer was number two in manager Mikel Arteta's pecking order of goalkeepers for the match against Aston Villa, with Bernd Leno suspended and Mathew Ryan unable to train due to a hip complaint.

The Brighton & Hove loanee has recovered in time to be included in the starting lineup and Iceland star Runarsson is on the bench as cover for the January signing.

Okonkwo was omitted from the Arsenal U23 squad against Chelsea in the Premier League 2 on Friday night, fueling speculation that he was set to travel with the first team to Birmingham.

Football. London's chief Arsenal reporter Chris Wheatley has confirmed that 19-year-old Okonkwo is with the squad today at Villa Park (see photo), but will watch the game from the stands.

The Anglo-Nigerian was also picked as the extra player for the FA Cup fixture vs Newcastle United and recent Premier League matches against Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Aston Villa are aiming to do a league double over Arsenal having defeated them 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium on November 8.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : premierleague.com

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com