Ovie Ejeheri Upstages Okonkwo As Arsenal’s Third Choice Goalkeeper

Arsenal of England youngster, Ovie Ejeheri at the weekend upstaged fellow-Nigerian-born shot-stopper, Arthur Okonkwo as The Gunners’ third choice for their latest fixture in the English Premier League.

The Gunners went on to win the game 1-0 against Emmanuel Dennis Bonaventure and William Troost-Ekong’s Watford, with Ejeheri spending all 90 minutes on the bench at Emirates Stadium.

Megasportsarena.com reports that it was, however, the biggest lift he has gained into the London club’s main team since breaking through their youth ranks, and it came at the expense of Okonkwo.

The big boost for Ejeheri comes from the fact that Arsenal’s head coach, Mikel Arteta picked the promising keeper as his 21st player for the game on Sunday afternoon.

A report by allnigeriasoccer.com added: “Ejeheri was spotted warming up with first team goalkeepers Aaron Ramsdale and Bernd Leno just before kickoff at the Emirates Stadium.

“The 2003-born glovesman would have been considered for the matchday squad if any of the senior goalkeepers suffered an injury in the pre-match warm up.

“Ramsdale, now the undisputed first choice goalkeeper, retained his place in the starting lineup with Leno acting as back-up.

“Ejeheri was the player drafted in to bolster the goalkeeping department ahead of the clash against the Hornets after Karl Hein suffered an injury in the closing minutes of the Premier League 2 match against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.

“The Anglo-Nigerian-Ugandan goalkeeper could not replace the 12-cap Estonia international because Arsenal U23s had used up all their substitutes.

“Ejeheri joined The Gunners at the age of five and signed his first professional contract before the start of the 2021-2022 season.

“He was keen on representing Nigeria at the 2019 FIFA U17 World Cup but a medial meniscus injury put paid to his chances of getting a call-up to join a training camp in Abuja.”