Martinelli sends WORRYING message over Arsenal wonderkid

Robin Bairner

• 19 Jun 2024 15:15 BST
• 3 min read

Gabriel Martinelli has sent Arsenal a worrying hint over the future of wonderkid Chido Obi-Martin.

Obi-Martin has long been considered one of the Gunners’ brightest prospects in their academy, yet his next steps are unclear.

FootballTransfers exclusively revealed that there is presently a transfer tug-of-war ongoing between Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, in particular, over the youngster.

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While Jack Wilshere is doing his best to talk Obi-Martin into remaining at the Emirates, the teenager’s family are pushing him to follow the footsteps of Jadon Sancho by moving to the Bundesliga, where they believe there are better development opportunities for him.

AS asked Martinelli about the young players to watch in the Arsenal squad next season, specifically namechecking Obi-Martin and Ethan Nwaneri, yet the attacker failed to mention the former as someone to keep an eye on.

He responded: “At the club they are very happy with the evolution of the young people who come up from the Academy. We try to give them all the help we can to make them comfortable. Everyone knows how difficult it is to get into the first team, to be a professional. They have to take advantage of the opportunity, but also be calm.

“Ethan is a boy of the highest quality. The club has a lot of faith in him and hopes that he will be the one who can help us the most in the future.”

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Martinelli not worried about summer competition

Arsenal, meanwhile, are seeking to strengthen their team in attack, potentially reducing the opportunities that Martinelli has to impress – but he does not appear concerned.

“That guys who play for Arsenal, one of the best teams in the world, are very good,” he said.

“The club has to find the best players to have a chance of being champions. We have an outstanding team, with many players of incredible quality.

“It’s up to Edu and Arteta who we sign. It depends on them.

“The fans are happy when quality players come and improve the team. That issue is not our concern. We have to work on the field and leave the signings to them.”

Arsenal are linked with several players ahead of the summer transfer window in attack, including Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres, although for the moment all eyes are on the midfield.