It is testing time for the Arsenal faithful as they will enter a Premier League season without Arsene Wenger for the first time in over two decades. They were quick to appoint Unai Emery as their new manager, and the former Paris Saint Germain boss has already started making moves in the transfer market.
The Gunners have signed Stephan Lichtsteiner and Bernd Leno already this summer, but are also after a number of stars from all around Europe, who are expected to help improve the squad at Emirates.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos is also close to completing his move to London, while the likes of Ever Banega continue to be linked with a move to the club before the start of the new season.
But the Spaniard also needs to keep an eye on players currently at the squad who are unsettled. He has already allowed Jack Wilshere to quit the club as a free agent but one player who has now pledged his future to the club is Arthur Okonkwo.
Still 16, the athletic goalkeeper made a name for himself in the England U16s, making his debut in 2016. He also broke into the U17 last year and has three appearances for them already. He also managed to establish himself in the Arsenal team for the U18 Premier League, where he started two games, keeping a clean sheet as well.
He also featured in the FA Youth Cup last season, and hardly put a foot wrong, impressing the Arsenal hierarchy. However, he is still a schoolboy and cannot sign his professional contract yet. But the Gunners are desperate not to lose him any time soon a and have managed to tie him down for another couple of years.
It is understood that Okonkwo has signed a new scholarship deal with the club and will continue his progress with the academy. He was given a chance to train with the senior side last season under Arsene Wenger and it is to be seen if Unai Emery offers him the same role.
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He was unsettled at the start of the month with reports claiming that German side RB Leipzig and Scottish giants Celtic were interested in his potential. But it is now revealed that Arsenal were never ready to sell and have now managed to extend his London stay. He will not be ready for the first-team action any time soon but tying up youngsters like Okonkwo is a real statement of intent from Arsenal and Emery alike.
