Arteta hails ‘huge talent’ in Arsenal’s ranks who is yet to make first-team appearance

Follow us on Google Discover

Mikel Arteta has hailed Arsenal youngster, Arthur Okonkwo, as a ‘huge talent’ after he penned down a new contract.

Arsenal announced on Friday that the 19-year-old has signed a new long-term contract and is set to be part of the first team next season.

Okonkwo is yet to make a first-team appearance for Arsenal, but he will be hoping this door opening is the start to him earning senior minutes.

Arteta certainly seems delighted with the progression the young goalkeeper is making and shared he will be part of every training session for the forthcoming campaign.

“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,” said Arteta.

“They are doing great work with the players’ development here and should be really proud. 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.

“Arthur will now join us every single day in training, where we look forward to watching him continue to develop and improve his goalkeeping. I know all our fans will join me in congratulating Arthur on this positive step in his career.”

It will be interesting to see how Arsenal use Okonkwo because it could be argued that he should get minutes during the cup games next season.

Bernd Leno is Arsenal’s number one – and even though there is talk about his future – Okonkwo isn’t going to be pushing ahead of him any time soon.

But Alex Runarsson, who had a torrid debut in Arsenal colours last season, is number two to Leno.

Okonkwo, and probably the Arsenal supporters, will feel he can push ahead of Runarsson, especially given that there is talk about his future also.

But in truth, if both of the above players, or one of them, are sold then that will, more than likely, mean that a new face will come through the doors.