Two games, two very different stories. Last week, as Arsenal were knocked out of the EFL Cup by Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion, Karl Hein endured a debut to forget, bringing down Danny Welbeck for a penalty as Roberto de Zerbi’s side ran riot at the Emirates.
Three days later, another fresh-faced shot-stopper enjoyed a far more pleasant afternoon between the sticks; Crewe Alexandra’s Gunners loanee Arthur Okonkwo producing perhaps his most eye-catching display at senior level during a 1-0 win over struggling Colchester United.
“We need some wins. That is the most important thing for us to do,” Crewe’s interim boss James Bell tells News Chain. “Arthur has kept us in the game with two brilliant saves.
“It was back to basics in terms of our defending, but we had a brilliant keeper helping us. I think he’s got eight clean sheets. And if we keep clean sheets, we’ve got players like (striker) Dan Agyei who can pop up like that and win the games.”
Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo making a big impact on loan at Crewe Alexandra
London-born Okonkwo, capped four times by England at U18 level, has fewer than two years remaining on his Arsenal contract. If he’s got any chance of a future at the Premier League leaders, performances like this must become the norm.
As things stand, however, Okonkwo will return to the Emirates with his reputation greatly enhanced.
“We were the dominant team. We created the better chances,” sighs Colchester coach Matt Bloomfield; agreeing with Bell’s assessment about Okonkwo making the difference between a win and a draw, or potentially even a defeat, for Crewe Alexandra (Gazette News).
“Even their manager said to me that they don’t know how they got a point, let alone three. Their manager saying that (Okonkwo was Man of the Match) does give a little bit of context.
“I thought he made two incredible saves and fair play to their manager for coming out and saying that.”
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