Mikel Arteta has addressed Chido Obi’s recent transfer from Arsenal to Manchester United as he prepares to face Rúben Amorim’s men on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon as they welcome Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal to Old Trafford.
Rúben Amorim’s side were last in action in midweek, drawing 1-1 with Real Sociedad in San Sebastián. Joshua Zirkzee put United ahead, but a contentious penalty decision allowed the hosts to level the score.
United have already faced Arsenal twice this season. The Gunners secured a 2-0 win at the Emirates in December, but Amorim’s men got their revenge in the FA Cup a month later, winning on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
With the Premier League title contenders visiting Old Trafford for the first time under Amorim, the Portuguese head coach will be aiming to maintain his strong record against Arteta and build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
Arteta addresses Obi’s United transfer
Earlier this season, it was confirmed that then-16-year-old starlet striker Chido Obi had swapped his Arsenal scholarship for a move to Manchester United, with the player signing a professional contract with the club once he turned 17.
He has since hit the ground running within the club’s Academy, scoring a hattrick in his debut and has been completely essential in the U18’s FA Youth Cup run.
Obi has also made three appearances for United’s first team in the last few weeks, and Arteta has addressed the young star’s move to Old Trafford.
“It was very unfortunate,” Arteta admitted to the press when speaking on Friday afternoon. “I wasn’t too involved in that decision. When a player decides the best pathway is to leave there’s not much you can do.”
Obi set for big future under Amorim
While the Danish U18s striker has a lot of growing to do, many hope that he can become a key player for United in the future, and some are already calling for the player to make his first start soon.
Read More: Manchester United left “frustrated” with Ruben Amorim’s comments about improving star
With Rasmus Højlund having not scored in his last 19 appearances, many fans are frustrated with the 22-year-old’s form, and Obi’s fantastic performance against Fulham did little to help Højlund’s case.
While the expectation is that Højlund will start when United welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, many are hoping that Obi will once again make an appearance off the bench.
Across all United teams and age groups, the player has 12 goals in 15 appearances during his debut season at the club, also providing two assists.
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