Back of Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo (1 Wrexham) during the Sky Bet League 1 match between Peterborough and Wrexham at London Road in Peterborough, England, on August 31, 2024. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
James McClean shares four-word reaction to Arthur Okonkwo’s performance as Wrexham beat Wycombe Wanderers
Wrexham have moved up to second in the League One table after beating Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.
This was the big one, the game that had been looming large whenever any Wrexham fan looked at the upcoming fixtures.
Wrexham and Wycombe Wanderers have been neck and neck for most of the season, challenging each other in the race for automatic promotion.
The Chairboys had held second place for a while before Saturday’s meeting – but it’s now Wrexham in the lead.
Sam Smith’s stunning volley handed Wrexham a 1-0 victory at Adams Park, sending Phil Parkinson’s side second in the table.
Wrexham were beaten by Reading in midweek, so to hit back from that disappointment and claim a huge win at Wycombe is just enormous for Parkinson and his side.
James McClean on Arthur Okonkwo
Smith has been praised by Parkinson and is taking most of the praise after his outstanding goal.
Wrexham also had goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo to thank though with the goalkeeper producing one moment of brilliance.
Shortly after Smith had volleyed Wrexham ahead, Wycombe created a golden chance of their own.
Sloppy play by Eoghan O’Connell resulted in James Berry taking a shot at the Wrexham goal, unmarked around the penalty spot.
Berry show low to Okonkwo’s left but the Wrexham stopper came up with a stunning save to keep Wycombe at bay – and keep his clean sheet intact.
That save proved crucial for Wrexham and Okonkwo has now been praised by teammate James McClean.
Posting on his Instagram story, McClean shared a photo alongside Okonkwo as the pair celebrated.
‘Big game, big player’ said McClean, heaping praise on his goalkeeper for his match-winning display.
Wrexham captain McClean understands that every game between now and the end of the season is enormous and the big moments in these games need top-class players.
Okonkwo showed that quality on Saturday, landing his fourth clean sheet in the last five League One games.
Arthur Okonkwo shows why he is Wrexham’s number one
Wrexham fans could not have imagined a situation in which Okonkwo’s position as first-choice goalkeeper would come into question.
Okonkwo suffered a wrist injury in November and didn’t return to action until January.
The former Arsenal talent struggled to find top form upon his return to action and Okonkwo was dropped by Parkinson in favour of Mark Howard.
Few really expected Howard to keep the shirt in the long term and Okonkwo is now back again, keeping clean sheets and making quality saves on a regular basis.
Callum Burton is on his way back but Okonkwo appears to have made the position his own once again – and deserves the praise offered up by McClean.
Irishman snubbed ‘big offer’ to play for Wrexham last summer, now he’s an interim manager in League One
Wrexham were busy in the transfer market last summer but one player turned down a big offer to join Phil Parkinson’s side.
Wrexham clinched promotion in April of last year and had to make big changes to Phil Parkinson’s squad.
