Premier League future star praises large development steps being made at Crewe
A future Premier League football star aiming to be 'the best goalkeeper in the world' - has praised the large development steps he is making at Crewe Alexandra.
On-loan Arsenal goalkeeper, Arthur Okonkwo, visited the Crewe Alexandra RSS pop-up shop, within Crewe Market Hall - on Thursday (December 15).
Between 4:30pm and 5:30pm, the 21-year-old talent met over 100 Crewe Alexandra supporters and gave away over 50 signed photos.
"It's been great to come to Crewe Market Hall, give out signatures and meet a lot of fans," says Okonkwo.
Since signing in July, Okonkwo has made 18 League Two appearances for Crewe Alexandra.
The six foot six goalkeeper has solidified his place in the Alex team - becoming a certain starter on the team sheet.
Okonkwo exclusively told Nub News: "It's been a great experience at Crewe so far and really fun. It's a new environment for me living on my own and in a new area.
"I have developed as a player at Crewe. I didn't play as many games for Arsenal as I have here.
"I have learned a lot as person here by getting to know different players. It's really important for a player my age to learn and grow and I am here.
"Me and Lee Bell have had a great relationship from the beginning. The transition from Alex Morris to Bell was natural.
"He was always another manager to me. Lee is a top guy and he's done so well to transition from assistant manager to first team manager."
Lee Bell was officially appointed the Crewe Alexandra first team manager on Thursday 1 December.
Okonkwo has started all five matches under his leadership - keeping three clean sheets.
The Premier League player said: "My career ambitions are high. I want to be the best goalkeeper in the world.
"I know this will obviously be a lot of hard work to get there but I am still a young keeper, I want to be ambitious, keep playing and keep working hard."
"My team is going for a title but Mikel (Arteta) got in contact with me when I moved to Crewe.
"He told me to do my best. I wished him all the best. I know how focused Arsenal are to win the Premier League."
Last season, Okonkwo earned his first professional contract with Arsenal. He became a regular on the bench throughout the year.
The London-born keeper looks up to a lot of elite goalkeepers - especially a former Arsenal keeper.
Okonkwo said: "I look up to a lot of goalkeepers. My biggest inspiration at the moment is Emiliano Martinez.
"I worked with him at Arsenal. What he's done with Argentina is amazing - getting to the final of the World Cup.
"Our career paths are quite similar. We didn't play much at a younger age, he is definitely someone I look up towards.
"I want Argentina to go on and win the World Cup. You don't expect them to win it out of the two teams.
"France are the holders of the World Cup and offer a lot. Why not back the underdogs."
Okonkwo was the second Crewe Alexandra player to visit the RSS shop - following Kelvin Mellor's visit in October.
The 21-year-old added: "It's so important to connect with the fans. Sometimes it's not possible to do this on a match day.
"This has been a great opportunity to get close to the fans that want to see you. It's been really good.
The Alex's independent Railwaymen Supporters Society (RSS), officially opened up a pop-up shop inside Crewe Market Hall back in September.
The shop is being run by the society's volunteers in collaboration with Crewe Alexandra Football Club.
Railwaymen Supporters Society consultant, Matt Owen, added: "This is the second player meet we have arranged to come here after Kelvin Mellor.
"That went really well and we said we would get another player in before Christmas.
"We've had about 100 people here, given away about 50 photographs and sold 12 club calendars.
"Its been a good experience for both Crewe Alex fans and Arthur (Okonkwo)."
To get in touch with The Railwaymen Supporters Society click HERE.
READ MORE: Planning application submitted for new Crewe town centre Youth Zone development.
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