Arsenal at risk of losing wonderkid who scored 10 goals against Liverpool
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Chido Obi-Martin is one of Arsenal’s brightest academy stars. (Image: Getty) Arsenal are running the risk of losing 16-year-old wonderkid Chido Obi-Martin, with European rivals circling after the academy prospect made headlines with his goalscoring exploits. The forward scored seven times against Norwich under-18s last weekend, in the same season he put 10 past Liverpool’s youth side and caught the attention of suitors abroad.
The Telegraph claim that as a result of differing rules in England and other European nations over dual-nationality teenagers, Obi-Martin can be offered professional terms by the likes of Bayern Munich before Arsenal have the opportunity to tie him down to a new contract. But such regulations do not apply in other nations including Germany, where Obi-Martin is attracting interest. The teen has played for both England and Denmark’s youth international teams and Arsenal are hopeful of keeping Obi-Martin for the foreseeable future. They are already in negotiations with his representatives but face an agonising six-month wait to put pen to paper.
Chido Obi-Martin celebrating for Arsenal against Southampton. (Image: Getty) After Brexit, players in the English top flight with EU passports can move to clubs within the EU for the FIFA stipulated compensation. It is considerably cheaper than tribunal fees ruled on between clubs in England and is paid to a player’s original club on every move up until the season when they turn 22. However, Arsenal will be encouraged by Obi-Martin’s recent comments pledging his future to the club, highlighting the development path to the first team that has seen academy products such as Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson, and Eddie Nketiah make the step up.
“I would like to stay at Arsenal for a long time,” the youngster told Danish outlet Bold. “It’s a good club, I can feel that I’m getting much better in training.” There are a lot of good people and good coaches, so I’m really happy to be there. Maybe I will have to play permanently at U21 from next season.
There aren’t that many strikers in the squad so it will be a good opportunity for me. Arsenal is a club that gives young talents the opportunity to play.”
