By Nnamdi Onyeagwara

29th Jul, 2022 | 4:45pm

Arsenal youth goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo secures loan move to Crewe - Fabrizio Romano

Arsenal youth player Arthur Okonkwo has secured a season-long loan move to League Two side Crewe Alexandra, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 20-year-old keeper is highly rated at Arsenal, but is the third choice in goal and is in need of first-team experience.

With the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Bernd Leno and new goalkeeper Matt Turner ahead of him in the pecking order, the move comes at a good time for the young stopper.

Romano said on his personal Twitter account on Thursday (28 July): “Arsenal third goalkeeper and England youth international Arthur Okonkwo is now set to join Crewe Alexandra on loan.

“A full agreement now in place for a loan deal until 2023.

“Okonkwo is highly rated by the club and considered big part of the future at Arsenal.”

Good move for Okonkwo

The goalkeeper, who is of Nigerian descent, came through the Arsenal youth system and graduated from the famous Hale End academy.

The 20-year-old, who has been at the club for over a decade, made 31 appearances for Arsenal’s various youth teams, keeping clean sheets in a third of his games.

He has also made 10 appearances at youth level for England, most recently playing for the England under-18s, but is yet to feature for the under-21s.

Okonkwo is highly thought of at Arsenal and this was shown when the club offered him a new contract in 2021, signing him to a three-year deal.

The talented shot-stopper suffered a horrible injury in 2019 under then-manager Unai Emery, but has recovered well and is not yet firmly back in contention for the Gunners.

This move can give him consistent game time in men’s football to continue his progress and gain valuable first-team experience.

In other Arsenal news, William Saliba is reportedly close to signing a new contract with the club.