Report: Arsenal to send out ‘huge’ U-23 talent out on loan to fourth-tier side

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Arsenal are reportedly on the verge of sending U-23 talent Arthur Okonkwo out on loan to an unnamed League Two side, with the goalkeeper set for his first spell away from north London.

According to All Nigeria Soccer on Twitter, the Hale End prospect is close to joining a fourth-tier English side on loan for the season, with reports recently suggesting that Arsenal were weighing up on either to send Okonkwo away from the club for the year.

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Okonkwo is regarded by many as a top goalkeeping talent who last season was a regular for Arsenal in their Premier League 2 campaign under then-manager Kevin Betsy, who this summer was appointed manager of League Two side Crawley Town, making the Red Devils an underreported favourite to land the 20-year-old shot-stopper.

Hailed by Arteta as a ‘huge talent’, Okonkwo is yet to play a single minute of professional football in his career despite appearing for Arsenal last year in numerous pre-season friendlies, which is why a loan move has been arranged for the upcoming season.

With Arsenal signing Matt Turner from MLS and Karl Hein set to take up the role of third-choice keeper, Okonkwo heading out on loan makes even more sense for the Gunners, and joining a League Two side could be an excellent division for the youngster to improve his game.

Indeed, Arsenal’s current no. 1 Aaron Ramsdale spent time out on loan in the fourth-tier with Chesterfield, and League Two is often regarded as a great introductory division for many young English talents, with Okonkwo a player who could thrive away from north London.

Okonkwo heading out to League Two on loan is big for his Arsenal future

Any form of a loan move at this stage of your career is massive for any aspiring player, and for Okonkwo, heading out to League Two will be huge in the youngster’s chances of one day becoming a member of Arsenal’s first team, something many fans and pundits predict for the 20-year-old.

Indeed, Okonkwo has the potential to become a quality squad option for Arsenal in the future, and these first few loan moves to divisions like League Two are vital for a player’s development, with the keeper hopeful that he will be able to play week-in week-out in the English fourth-tier.