ARSENAL fans were left shocked after loanee Arthur Okonkwo was released by the club.
The keeper, 22, impressed while on loan at Hollywood-owned Wrexham this season.
The club, owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, earned promotion to League One having only been promoted from non-league last year.
Okonkwo stood out as a reliable presence between the sticks and kept 14 clean sheets in 36 appearances for the Red Dragons.
He also conceded just 30 goals in the league.
His performances saw him win League Two goalkeeper of the season.
Despite this, he has not been offered a contract extension by The Gunners and will leave the club as a free agent.
One Arsenal fan on X wrote: “Would have liked it if we managed to get some money from his outgoing from the club but hey it is what it is. Best of luck Arthur.”
Another wrote: “Sensational goalkeeper.. He will definitely be a starter for any club that sign him.”
While a third said: “He’s served the club well, Good luck to him.”
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He is expected to have plenty of interest from League One and League Two clubs.
Wrexham fans will no doubt be keen to see Okonkwo extend his stay at the Racecourse, but he had this to say when talking about his future to The Athletic: “I haven’t looked too much into things at the moment.
“But I will, very soon. It is about looking at all my opportunities and seeing which is the best for me.
“I’ve loved it at Wrexham and they will stay in my heart forever. It’s more of a waiting game now and seeing what is the right move for myself.”
He added: “I went to say my goodbyes at Arsenal the other day. That was tough, knowing I won’t be there any more. I’d been there so long. But it does feel like the right time. The club is doing so well.
“You have to be one of the best to play for Arsenal. I have to follow my own career path and do what I need to do for myself. There are no hard feelings, we ended things very well. I had an incredible time — 14 years and I can still remember the first day I joined.
“I can never be more grateful to the club for what they have given me. And, you never know how football works, I could be back there one day.”
Elsewhere on the list of players being released by Arsenal are Mohamed Elneny, who has been at the club since 2016 and Cedric Soares.
