Wrexham’s Young Player of the Year, Max Cleworth, has heaped praise on teammate Arthur Okonkwo, describing the Arsenal academy product as the best goalkeeper in League One.
Okonkwo played a pivotal role in Wrexham’s successive promotions, recording 19 clean sheets in the third tier of English football during the 2024–25 campaign.
His standout performances between the sticks were instrumental as the Red Dragons secured a second-place finish and a promotion to League One.
he 23-year-old goalkeeper made his move permanent in the summer of 2024, ending a 15-year association with Arsenal following a successful loan spell during the 2023–24 season.
That year, he kept 16 clean sheets in 40 appearances as Wrexham clinched automatic promotion from League Two.
In League One this term, only Birmingham City’s Ryan Allsop kept more clean sheets than Okonkwo, with 21 shutouts across 38 matches.
However, Okonkwo boasted a higher clean sheet percentage, registering shutouts in 57.7% of his 33 league appearances, compared to Allsop’s 55.3%.
In quotes relayed by Wrexham Insider, Cleworth was full of admiration for his teammate: “Arthur’s unbelievable. I think he’s the best keeper in the league.
“The amount of times he sort of saves us, it’s a lot and you know I thought sort of thank him for that because he’s a top goalie, but even more sort of a top lad.
“We have a good relationship on and off the pitch and I think we know each other’s games really well. He’s had another fantastic season and it’s a pleasure to play alongside.”
Born in London, Okonkwo is a former England youth international and is currently on the radar of the Nigeria Football Federation, who are monitoring his progress as they explore potential call-ups for players with dual nationality.
Wrexham can rely on their trio of goalkeepers – but Arthur Okonkwo’s return will be welcomed
Key date revealed in Arthur Okonkwo’s injury recovery at Wrexham – with Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney & Phil Parkinson waiting on important update after ‘mad’ goalkeeper problems
- First-choice shot-stopper nursing broken wrist
- Red Dragons have used four keepers this season
- Hoping for some positive news on the fitness front
WHAT HAPPENED?
First-choice goalkeeper Okonkwo suffered a broken wrist when turning out for the Red Dragons against Mansfield on November 9. Callum Burton has also been laid low since then, leaving the ambitious League One outfit short on options between the sticks.
WHAT PARKINSON SAID
The hope is that Okonkwo may not be too far away from making a return to action, with Parkinson saying of what needs to happen before the 23-year-old is given a fitness green light: “Arthur’s got an appointment with the specialist – I think it’s on December 18 – to check whether the bone’s healed properly or not. We’ll keep our fingers crossed for that but he’ll be back out on the training ground working on other aspects of his game, getting fit and ready so hopefully once he gets the all-clear from the specialist, he won’t be too long.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Veteran shot-stopper Mark Howard is filling Wrexham’s No.1 berth at present, while Brad Foster has been signed on a short-term deal and kept a clean sheet in an EFL Trophy clash with Crewe. Parkinson added on having to use four different keepers this season: “It’s been mad with the goalie situation. It’s bad luck but when you have injuries, you can’t let it bring you down because it happens in football and someone’s misfortune is someone else’s fortune.”
WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?
Wrexham, who sit joint-top of the League One table as they look to chase down a third successive promotion and provide more drama for the documentary series put in place by their Hollywood co-owners, will be back in action on Saturday when playing host to Paul Mullin’s former employers at Cambridge United.
