Photo Confirmation : Arsenal Manager Picked Talented GK Okonkwo As 21st Player Vs Man Utd

Published: January 31, 2021

Arsenal first team manager Mikel Arteta picked promising Nigeria-eligible goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo as the extra player or 21st man for his side's goalless draw with Manchester United on Saturday evening, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Okonkwo was videoed arriving at the Emirates Stadium (see photo) along with the first team stars before the meeting with the Red Devils which ended in a goalless draw.

Bernd Leno started in goal with Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson acting as back-up; Okonkwo would have been considered for the matchday squad if any of the two goalkeepers sustained an injury in the pre-match warm-up.

This is the second time this month that the Anglo-Nigerian goalkeeper has been with the first team at the Emirates Stadium for a competitive match as he was the third choice goalkeeper for the FA Cup third round clash against Newcastle United on January 9.

Okonkwo rose up the pecking order of goalkeepers for the visit of Manchester United as a result of the unavailability of Matt Ryan.

The Brighton & Hove loanee is nursing a right hip injury suffered in training and is hoping to be back in the coming days if he does not suffer a relapse.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : arsenal.com

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