Arthur Okonkwo made a fine save during Arsenal’s 4-1 pre-season victory over Millwall on Saturday with the Championship club’s manager, Gary Rowett, singling him out for praise in conversation with London News Online.
While manager Mikel Arteta did his level best to play down the glaring error Okonwko committed during the recent 2-1 defeat to Hibernian, the promising shot-stopper must have felt that he had a point to prove when Millwall arrived at London Colney this weekend.
And prove it he most certainly did.
19-year-old Okonwko seized the chance to remind everyone why he is so highly regarded in the capital, pulling off an outstanding reflex save to stop Benik Afobe giving the Championship side an early lead.
Did Arthur Okonwko silence his Arsenal critics?
“In the first half we were excellent, we should’ve scored a few goals ourselves, we missed some good chances. We hit the post and their goalkeeper made a great save off Benik,” Rowett said at full-time.
“We created a couple of great chances and the keeper made a really good save,” added Leonard, joining his boss in praising a man who bounced back in style following that Hibs howler.
There were plenty of other positives on the day for Arteta to enjoy, with debutant Albert Sambi Lokonga slotting in seamlessly in the heart of midfield, constantly asking for the ball and breaking the lines with his piercing, probing passes.
Calum Chambers, Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe and Folarin Balogun – thriving in a wider role during pre-season – also found the net as Arsenal put Millwall to the sword, building on a much-improved performance against Rangers last weekend.
And unless Arteta can bring in a new goalkeeper sooner rather than later – with Aaron Ramsdale, Sam Johnstone, Unai Simon and Andre Onana all under consideration – Okonkwo may be included in the matchday squad when the Premier League season begins away at Brentford on August 13.
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