Arthur Okonkwo

Arsenal

Okonkwo came through the Arsenal ranks quickly, starring on the bench for an under-18 Arsenal match, while being registered as a player for the under-15 team. He also debuted for the under-23 Arsenal side as a 17-year-old. By the 2018–19 season, Okonkwo came runners-up in the U18 Premier League, and was already appearing as a bench goalkeeper for the first team, and going into the 2019–20 campaign, he would be third in line for goalkeeping duties. Okonkwo struggled with injury in the 2019–20 campaign, failing to register a single appearance for any of the Arsenal teams. Okonkwo's double save in the Premier League 2, against Brighton was a contender for the best save of the 2020–21 season. Okonkwo played in Arsenal under-21s' 2–1 victory in the EFL Trophy at Crawley Town on 30 October 2020, and in a 1–1 draw at Plymouth Argyle in the same competition on 2 November 2021. He signed a senior contract with Arsenal in early July 2021, donning the number 33 for the first team. Okonkwo made his senior team debut on 13 July 2021, against Hibernian in a friendly, misjudging a back pass from Arsenal teammate Cedric Soares, to grant Martin Boyle a tap-in, in a 2–1 loss to Hibs. Okonkwo left Arsenal on 30 June 2024 at the expiration of his contract with the club.

Crewe Alexandra (loan)

Okonkwo joined EFL League Two side Crewe Alexandra on a season-long loan on 29 July 2022. He was signed in time to be eligible for Crewe's season-opening game at Rochdale;…

Okonkwo represented England at under-16 and under-17 levels, then debuted for the under-18s two days before his birthday. On 6 April 2026, FIFA confirmed Okonkwo had switched his allegiance from England to Nigeria. His first international call-up was for the 2026 Unity Cup.

An Arsenal academy graduate, Okonkwo has stated that Petr Cech and David De Gea influence his own goalkeeping style. Okonkwo said this on him playing as a goalkeeper: "I tried playing outfield but it wasn't for me. I enjoyed the thrill of making saves – the more spectacular the better".

Born in Camden, London, England to Igbo Nigerian parents, Okonkwo began his career at Hampstead Academy before moving on to Lindus Park, where he joined the Arsenal academy as an eight-year-old in 2009.