‘P*ssing people off!’ – Why Wrexham star Arthur Okonkwo became a goalkeeper good enough to be signed by Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney on two occasions

The highly-rated shot-stopper joined the academy ranks at Premier League giants Arsenal when just eight years of age. He graduated through the youth system in north London, but was always likely to see a route to the Gunners’ first team blocked off.

A desire to see regular game time led to the 22-year-old heading out on loan. One of those deals took him to Wrexham in 2023, with a string of impressive performances – which included suffering a badly broken jaw at one stage – helping the Red Dragons to secure promotion into League One.

Okonkwo is back at SToK Racecourse after being snapped up for a second time by Hollywood superstars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – this time as a free agent – and has told a live show from the Men In Blazers podcast during Wrexham’s tour of the United States of the enjoyment that he gets from playing in goal: “It’s the same thing that I enjoy until today. I love making saves and just annoying strikers. That’s the joy I get from goalkeeping. I can’t put it any simpler than that.”

When it was put to him that he takes pleasure in “p*ssing people off”, Okonkwo added: “That is the best part of my job. I have fun every day!”

Okonkwo agreed that he “loves ruining human beings’ days” when doing his day job, with the art of goalkeeping being mastered at an early age. Wrexham – who have one more friendly date with MLS side the Vancouver Whitecaps to take in before returning to Wales – will be hoping to see their new No.1 star again during the 2024-25 campaign.