Arsenal loanee Arthur Okonkwo shortlisted for League Two Player of the Month award

ARSENAL's Nigeria-eligible goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has been shortlisted for the English Football League's League Two Player of the Month for November after a brilliant month that saw him keep two cleans sheets in his last couple of matches.

British-born Okonkwo, 21, has played with the England U17 team before and a few years ago, former Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr asked him to switch his allegiance and opt to play for Nigeria at the senior level. In search of regular game time following his promotion to the Arsenal first team in the summer of 2021, Okonkwo joined Crewe Alexandra on a season-long loan in July.

Since arriving at Crewe, Okonkwo has performed excellently, posting five clean sheets in matches against Harrogate Town. Sutton United, Bradford, Crawley Town and Carlisle United, while conceding just 11 goals in as many appearances. He has been one of the revelations for a Crewe Alexandra team who are four points behind the promotion play-off positions with their sights firmly set in League One.

Okonkwo, a Hale End Academy graduate had back-to-back clean sheets against Colchester United and Swindon Town in November. Crewe Alexander, known as the Railwaymen secured maximum six points from the two matches after 1-0 wins.

Also, Okonkwo posted a clean sheet against Leyton Orient in the first round of the FA Cup, and started the second round clash against Barnsley, taking his total appearances in November to four in all competitions.  Okonkwo, the Arsenal loanee is up against Leyton Orient's central defender Omar Beckles, Bradford City's Andy Cook and Barrow attacker Billy Waters for the award.

Overall, Okonkwo has kept seven clean sheets in 21 all-competition appearances since joining the Railwaymen. An EFL spokesman said: "Clean sheets and Arthur Okonkwo’s agility have been key to Crewe Alexandra's recent revival."