Chido Obi-Martin celebrating in the Under-18 Premier League
Chido Obi-Martin has been a revelation for both Arsenal and Manchester United
Manchester United have a gem on their hands if one former Arsenal academy coach's testimony is anything to go by.
Teenage sensation Chido Obi Martin swapped Gunners for Manchester United in October, having originally turned heads in Arsenal's academy with several thrilling performances. The towering forward was fast advancing through the youth set-up in north London and scoring goals for fun, including one memorable haul where he bagged 10 in an under-16 game against Liverpool.
However, the Danish starlet opted out to leave the capital in order to continue his development in Manchester. Paul Aladejare, Arsenal’s ex-head of recruitment from under-12 to under-14, knows Obi-Martin well, and the players' decision to move could be a costly loss for Mikel Arteta's side with Aladejare stating that the youngster's astonishing self belief means United could have a star on their hands.
"He believes he is the best player at his age group in the world," Aladejare said. "That is his mentality." Aladejare first encountered Obi-Martin after he had been given a tip-off that two brothers from Denmark had just emigrated to the UK with their family.
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After watching Obi-Martin for just 20 minutes in his first scouting assignment on the player, Aladejare called his bosses at Arsenal to explain what he had just seen. "You have to get here right now and man-mark this kid’s mum. There are scouts from every club in London asking who he is and where he has come from," Aladejare said via The Athletic.
Today, the youngster, who stands at 6"2, is widely regarded as one of the hottest prospects in English football. He recently became the all-time record goalscorer in the Under-18 Premier League, where he now plays his trade for United, after signing his first professional deal at Old Trafford upon turning 17.
Chido Obi-Martin signed for United in September of this year
Obi-Martin, who is eligible for England and Nigeria, as well as Denmark, originally joined CrownPro Elite Academy and trained with them for months before being given a two-week trial at Arsenal. After he signed with the Gunners, he quickly became an internet sensation, with his goals often going viral.
Netting 32 goals in 18 games for the under-18s, despite being years younger, he also bagged 12 goals in 19 games for the Danish U17s, and two in four for his country's U18 side. Aladejare went on to concede that Obi-Martin's capabilities in front of goal are continuing to blossom despite the fearsome start to his career..
"I did one-on-one technical sessions with him even when he was at Arsenal," Aladejare said. "He was like a sponge. He could take 10 shots, bag nine and if he missed one he wanted to start again. He goes again until he gets it right. He used to be a good finisher and now he’s a great finisher."
Chido Obi-Martin was in stunning form for Arsenal's under-18 side last season
Arsenal believed they had made Obi-Martin a good offer in order to stay with them, an offer that was within the boundaries of their wage structure. However, according to one source, via The Athletic, the 17-year-old was strongly convinced that his path to first team football, something he maintains he can engineer, would be easier to achieve at United given the club's reputation for promoting youth.
In October, he marked his debut for United’s under-18s with a hat-trick in the first 15 minutes against Nottingham Forest. Since his move to the Red Devils Obi-Martin has registered five goals in five games in the U18 Premier League and claimed one assist.
Only time will tell if he was the one that got away for Arsenal. But the Gunners' loss is no doubt United and new Old Trafford boss, Ruben Amorim's, gain as it stands.
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