Former Gunner breaks bone 4 months after leaving Arsenal

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has suffered a broken wrist and is set to miss the next six weeks of action, Wrexham have confirmed.

Former Gunner Arthur Okonkwo has broken his wrist, with Wrexham’s official club website confirming the injury this week.

The goalkeeper reportedly had a scan on his wrist after suffering an injury against Mansfield last Saturday, and manager Phil Parkinson has confirmed a minimum six-week absence.

“Prior to the [Port Vale] game, we had some bad news when we had to send Arthur Okonkwo for a scan after he damaged his wrist on Saturday,” Parkinson said.

“Unfortunately, he has broken his wrist and is going to be out for a minimum of six weeks.

“I feel for Arthur, he’s in good form, but we’ve got two experienced goalkeepers ready and waiting.”

Following a loan from Arsenal to Wrexham last season, Okonkwo joined the League One club as a permanent signing after his contract with the Gunners came to an end over the summer.

The move wouldn’t technically have been a free transfer, as Arsenal are owed compensation for former academy players under the age of 23. But it certainly wasn’t a mega-money deal.

Given that context, Wrexham will be delighted to have picked up a young and promising goalkeeper, and 23-year-old Okonkwo has kept eight clean sheets in his first 15 games for his new club.

That strong start will now face its first major disruption, with Okonkwo out until around the turn of the year.

Arthur Okonkwo is the older brother of Arsenal youngster Brian, who has represented the Arsenal u21s on four occasions so far this season. Most recently, the younger Okonkwo was in goal against Colchester United in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.