Young Nigerian goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo had a debut to forget for the first team of Arsenal as his error lead to the first goal scored by Hibernian in Arsenal’s first pre season game.
Okonkwo was handed a start and four minutes into the game which ended 2-1 in favour of Hibernian, the Nigerian goalkeeper was involved in a mix up with Cedric Soares.
A back pass from Cedric placed the young goalkeeper under pressure and with Martin Boyle charging down on him, he scoffed his clearance and presented the forward with a simple tap in. Not the kind of start he would have anticipated following his current elevation to the status of a first team player.
After signing his new deal, he was handed the number 33 shirt and a spot as third choice goalkeeper ahead of the start of next season. A rise which has placed him on the watchlist of the coach of the Nigerian team Gernot Rohr.
He was subbed off for young goalkeeper Karl Hein at the start of the second half as coach Mikel Arteta made seven changes to give other players game time.
Daniel McKay doubled the lead for the host before Emile Smith-Rowe pulled a goal back for Arsenal shortly after Nicolas Pepe has missed a spot kick.
