Arsenal confirm third-choice goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo leaves club after joining Crewe on season-long loan transfer

ARTHUR OKONKWO has become the first of up to THREE Arsenal keepers to leave this summer.

League Two Crewe signed the Gunners’ academy product, 21, on loan for the season.

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Germany stopper Bernd Leno is tipped to follow him out with an £8milion move to Premier League newcomers Fulham.

And Alex Runarsson could make it three Arsenal keepers departing by September.

The Iceland ace has been linked with Danish champs  FC Copenhagen after two disappointing years at the Emirates.

Aaron Ramsdale replaced Leno as Mikel Arteta’s No1 choice early last term.

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And now boss Arteta has brought in USA keeper Matt Turner as back-up.

Okonkwo is the first to go – yet he is the one who the Gunners believe can eventually make a first-team breakthrough.

Selling the Londoner this transfer window was out of the question.

Instead the Gunners “look forward to seeing his continued development” – with Crewe rather than in Under-23s football.

Okonkwo made the Arsenal matchday squad seven times but has yet to make a senior appearance.

His temporary exit leaves Gunners’ U-21 aces Karl Hein and James Hillson competing for promotion to the first-team squad.