Arsenal academy starlet Brian Okonkwo makes his senior debut in a non league loan

It's not every day that I can combine Gooner Fanzine duties with my commitments as a radio commentator for my local non-league side, but the one match loan of goalkeeper Brian Okonkwo from Arsenal's academy to ninth tier Hitchin Town FC provided a rare opportunity to watch a potential Gunners shot stopper.

Southern League Premier Division Central Hitchin faced the tough test of high-flying Nuneaton Borough, with the two sides doing battle in the hometown of Jack Wilshere, who has been known to attend the odd match at the picturesque Top Field ground.

Hitchin's goalkeeper and captain Charlie Horlock's red card in last weekend's draw meant that manager Mark Burke had to use his network to call in a goalkeeper on an emergency loan. Burke turned to his old Hitchin teammate, and now Academy coach for the Gunners Ken Gillard, who agreed to assist with the loan of 17 year old Brian Okonkwo. 

Arsenal academy starlet Brian Okonkwo makes his senior debut in a non league loan: Story by Freddie Cardy - photographs by Peter Else

The 6 foot 4 goalkeeper came into a Hitchin side that had conceded five in midweek against playoff chasing Coalville, but Okonkwo's first ventures into senior football almost started with catastrophe. Nuneaton's goalkeeper launched a long free kick from just inside the Hitchin half and Okonkwo had to backpedal a long way to tip the ball over the crossbar to avoid embarrassment.

Arsenal fans will likely be familiar with Brian's older brother Arthur, currently on loan in Germany, who featured for Arsenal's senior team in pre-season back in 2021.

Okonkwo's kicking was certainly an impressive feature of his game, often sending goal kicks deep into the Nuneaton half. The loanee did everything in his power to keep out Nuneaton's 44th minute opener, but was unable to keep out the ball as it was bundled home in the six yard box.

Amidst the standard vocals from the away supporters behind the goal, Okonkwo lacked a little composure with the ball at his feet, but considering the teenager was unfamiliar with all of his new teammates, and non league football as a whole, there was plenty of promise in his display.

Speaking after the eventual 1-1 draw, Hitchin manager Mark Burke was full of praise for the loanee. "I thought he was excellent. I don't think he's used to that sort of [long] kicking, his quads might be a bit sore… welcome to non league football!"

"The fans were giving him a little bit of jovial banter behind the goal and he took it well… he's certainly not let Arsenal down, he's made them proud".

Arsenal fans may have been bemused by the concept of a one match loan, but all parties will have been pleased with the agreement. Arsenal fans will be excited to see if Brian can follow in his brother's footsteps.