Wrexham drew 1-1 with Derby County on Saturday, and one player showed he is capable of competing in the Championship.
The Red Dragons looked set to secure their first league win of 2025/26 at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday after Lewis O’Brien’s headed goal put them 1-0 up.
Issa Kabore earned praise for his brilliant assist, taking his tally to three already this season.
However, Ben Brereton Diaz scored a wonder goal to put the Rams back on level terms.
Wrexham drew 1-1 with Derby in the end, though their overall performance was much improved.
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Wrexham saw the best version of Arthur Okonkwo
Wrexham have lost Danny Ward to injury for a prolonged period.
In his absence, Arthur Okonkwo has been reinstated as their number one goalkeeper.
The former Arsenal man was off his game in the Queens Park Rangers defeat and in the recent win over Norwich City.
He was partly at fault for both of the Canaries’ goals last time out, but he was in much better form against Derby.
There was not an awful lot he could have done about Diaz’s strike, but he did show his class prior to the equaliser.
In the 56th minute, the former Arsenal man pulled off two saves in quick succession after a dangerous attack from Max Johnston.
Okonkwo didn’t have an awful lot to do across the 90, but when he was called upon, the keeper’s reactions were lightning fast.
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When is Danny Ward back from injury
Arthur will need to maintain that level for some time if Wrexham are to have a productive 2025/26 season.
Parkinson gave a Ward injury update earlier this month and confirmed the Welshman will be out for several months.
He said: “The operation went fine. Obviously, we feel for Danny, but it is what it is with him. It’s a blow for him because he’d got in the team.
“But Arthur had also done well in the games he played against Preston and Hull, particularly the Preston game when he made a couple of really good saves.
“Danny will be back here with us later in the week and it will be good to catch up with him. I think we are looking about four months.”