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Manchester City

Manchester United

Liverpool

Arsenal

Chelsea

Other

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Joined Arsenal's academy ranks aged eight</li><li>Needed loan spells in order to game games</li><li>Rejoined ambitious Dragons as a free agent</li></ul>

‘P*ssing people off!’ – Why Wrexham star Arthur Okonkwo became a goalkeeper good enough to be signed by Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney on two occasions

League One

Wrexham

Exeter

Premier League

Nottingham Forest

The highly-rated shot-stopper joined the academy ranks at Premier League giants Arsenal when just eight years of age. He graduated through the youth system in north London, but was always likely to see a route to the Gunners’ first team blocked off.

WHAT HAPPENED?

A desire to see regular game time led to the 22-year-old heading out on loan. One of those deals took him to Wrexham in 2023, with<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/michael-jordan-wrexham-arthur-okonkwo-likened-nba-legend-rob-mcelhenney-explains-goalkeeper-transfer-gamble/blt5ed976fa981ba254" target="_blank"> a string of impressive performances</a> – which included <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/welcome-to-wrexham-brutal-jaw-injury-arsenal-goalkeeper-arthur-okonkwo-x-ray-huge-bone-crack-mouth-surgery/bltb39f15fb0fbb805c" target="_blank">suffering a badly broken jaw</a> at one stage – helping the Red Dragons to secure promotion into League One.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Okonkwo is back at SToK Racecourse after being snapped up for a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/wrexham-rivals-never-underestimate-ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney-pulling-power-former-manager-reacts-arthur-okonkwo-permanent-transfer/bltba4ff6ae51270716" target="_blank">second time by Hollywood superstars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney</a> – this time <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/arthur-okonkwo-snubbed-offers-higher-level-rejoin-wrexham-phil-parkinson-statement-signing-ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney/blt323cc7058f7a3c15" target="_blank">as a free agent</a> – and has told a live show from the<a href="https://x.com/MenInBlazers/status/1816687084779745284 " target="_blank"> Men In Blazers</a> podcast during Wrexham’s tour of the United States of the enjoyment that he gets from playing in goal: “It’s the same thing that I enjoy until today. I love making saves and just annoying strikers. That’s the joy I get from goalkeeping. I can’t put it any simpler than that.”When it was put to him that he takes pleasure in “p*ssing people off”, Okonkwo added: “That is the best part of my job. I have fun every day!”

WHAT OKONKWO SAID

Okonkwo agreed that he “loves ruining human beings’ days” <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/me-someone-else-arthur-okonkwo-ready-wrexham-no1-fight-marquee-signing-ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney/blt96d4fc2e4308ffcd" target="_blank">when doing his day job</a>, with the art of goalkeeping being mastered at an early age. Wrexham – who have one more <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ryan-reynolds-minivan-promise-wrexham-vancouver-trip-director-jokes-hollywood-co-owner-transport-duty-home-town/blt20c7f565f8c25dfc" target="_blank">friendly date with MLS side the Vancouver Whitecaps</a> to take in before returning to Wales – will be hoping to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/arthur-okonkwo-shirt-number-swap-wrexham-goalkeeper-hints-dropping-33-admission-ryan-reynolds-rob-mcelhenney/blt8c9542b1fb295471" target="_blank">see their new No.1</a> star again during the 2024-25 campaign.

WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

‘P*ssing people off!’ – Why Wrexham star Arthur Okonkwo became a goalkeeper good enough to be signed by Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney on two occasions | Goal.com English Saudi Arabia

Wrexham star Arthur Okonkwo has explained how a desire to “p*ss people off” and “annoy strikers” led to him becoming a goalkeeper.

‘P*ssing people off!’ – Why Wrexham star Arthur Okonkwo became a goalkeeper good enough to be signed by Ryan Reynolds &amp; Rob McElhenney on two occasions