29 January 2024 , 21:21
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Arsenal keeper Arthur Okonkwo suffered a nightmare as his loan side Wrexham were demolished by Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup on Monday night.
Okonkwo is spending the season at the Racecourse Ground, and has received high praise for his performances for the promotion challengers. But he made two major errors as the League Two side limped out of the FA Cup at the fourth round stage.
They had taken the lead through Andy Cannon's brilliant striker after 19 minutes had gone. But after Sammie Szmodics, Okonkwo endured a moment to forget to allow Rovers to take the lead.
Wrexham defender Ben Tozer over-committed in a challenge, allowing Sam Gallagher to race clear. But for some reason, Okonkwo had stormed off his line to come to meet the attacker outside the box.
The Wrexham keeper failed to cover enough of his goal as he went to ground to attempt to block Gallagher, with the Blackburn striker able to slot into the net. It was a dreaadful moment for the on-loan Gunners star, with Blackburn icon Kevin Gallacher placing the finger of blame at his door.
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Gallacher told Radio 5 Live: "Blackburn have really hit Wrexham with a sucker punch there. Only a matter of minutes and Blackburn have found themselves in front. The goalkeeper has sold himself short for Wrexham and Sam Gallagher has pounced."
Things went from bad to worse for Okonkwo and Wrexham as the first-half entered stoppage time. A pass was lofted forward, allowing Szmodics to race into the box, though this time Okonkwo chose to stay on his line.
Sammie Szmodics scored two second-half goals to turn the tie around (PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)That proved to be a mistake though, with Szmodics blasting the ball past the Wrexham keeper. Former Wales international Nathan Blake pulled no punches in his assessment, insisting it had been a wretched night for Okonkwo.
"He's been a bit ropey you have to say in the first-half, sliced a few kicks, not come for the ball and then you're looking at him and you think he has to come off his line in that situation. Read that a bit earlier and make better case than that," Blake told Match of the Day.
"He should make a challenge, shut down the space, but he doesn't, maybe because of that first goal. Maybe because of the Gallagher goal he's feeling 'I can't come off my line, I've made that mistake' But on this occasion, it's cost them."
The night had started so well for Wrexham, when Cannon took a touch before blasting the ball past Aynsley Pears after Blackburn gave the ball away. But just after the half-hour mark, Roverrs were level.
Gallagher split open the Wrexham defence, with Szmodics sweeping the ball home. Just before the hour mark, Blackburn booked their place in the fifth round when Sondre Tronstad capitalised on a loose ball and saw his shot deflected into the top corner.