Arthur Okonkwo has noted one thing he found ‘special’ about playing for Wrexham that he couldn’t do whilst at Arsenal.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper spent the year out on loan with the League Two side as Okonkwo played a key role in Wrexham claiming promotion to League One, with the shot-stopper named in the division’s Team of the Season.
With Okonkwo leaving Arsenal this summer due to the expiration of his contract, the Hale End academy graduate will not be short of suitors after a fantastic year between the sticks with Wrexham having impressed a year earlier with Austrian side Sturm Graz.
Yet the youngster has now highlighted one thing he found better at Wrexham than at Arsenal.
Okonkwo shares ‘disconnect’ with Arsenal fans compared to Wrexham support
Speaking to the Athletic, Okonkwo shared how he felt a disconnect with Arsenal fans when compared to what he experienced at Wrexham, where supporters were allowed greater access to players.
Indeed, given the nature of Arsenal as one of the Premier League big guns, it makes sense why fans aren’t allowed as close to players than at Wrexham, yet it’s clear that the difference has left an impact on Okonkwo.
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Okonkwo said when asked what he loved about Wrexham supporters during his loan spell with the Welsh club: “You’re signing so many autographs and speaking to so many fans before every game.
“At Arsenal, there’s a bit of a disconnect with the fans, in the sense you can’t sign everything. It is impossible. But that’s something Wrexham still has. It’s special to see.”
Arsenal and Premier League clubs can take key lessons from Wrexham
The gulf between the Premier League and the EFL has never been bigger, with the English top-flight the most lucrative sports league in the world and only growing with every year.
And as fans continue to be tossed aside on virtually every issue, the likes of Arsenal should take key lessons from the likes of Wrexham on how player/supporter relationships should be on and off the pitch.
Indeed, the Welsh side have done a lot of right since the Hollywood takeover of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, and Okonkwo’s comments should be used as a lesson for the likes of Arsenal.
