Arsenal make contract offer to promising goalkeeper as Mikel Arteta makes long-term decision

Arsenal have offered a scholarship to the brother of first team goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, understands.

16-year-old Brian has featured for the academy this season and was recently called up to the Under-18 side, while being given a spot on the bench for a league match against Reading at the weekend.

His progress has impressed academy coaches at Arsenal who are looking to find the next generation of young goalkeeping talents.

Recent players to sign scholarship terms include U16's winger Chido Obi, the Denmark youth international, while goalkeeper Alexei Rjas Fedorushchenko is another talented youngster who has trained with the first team this season.

Whilst Okonkwo Jr may be a few years away from the first team, his older brother has been on the fringes for the past 12 months.

After signing a contract extension with the club last summer, Okonkwo has been in and around the first team while featuring regularly for the Under-23s in Premier League 2.

Former Nigeria U20 goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo defended Okonkwo in a recent interview following a mistake against Hibernian in a pre-season match.

"It was quite unfortunate that such happened to him on his debut for one of the greatest clubs in the world," Ojo told Goal.

"I really feel for him. Truth is even great goalkeepers commit blunders despite their years of experience.

"Talking from experience, I'm sure Okonkwo would not be happy with the blunder that cost his team victory. We will keep making mistakes as humans and we'll keep learning every day.

"All I know is that he'll come back better and stronger. The Premier League side's goalkeeper trainers also have a role to play in this too.

"That does not make him a poor goalkeeper and you can’t define his ability by just one