Ten Hag over Arteta? Man Utd pursuit of Obi-Martin should concern Arsenal

Tom Weber

Updated: 20 Jul 2024 08:29 BST
5 min read

Manchester United are in talks to sign Arsenal academy phenom Chido Obi-Martin.

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The news was broken on Friday evening when it was revealed by several credible sources, including David Ornstein and Fabrizio Romano, that the Danish striker had visited Man Utd's Carrington training ground.

The 16-year-old's future has been the subject of intense speculation as his Arsenal schoolboy contract has expired. The Gunners had been confident of securing his services for the future, initially tying him down to a new scholarship deal before turning it professional on his 18th birthday in November.

However, despite making an improved offer in recent weeks, that confidence ultimately dissipated. According to Romano, Arsenal have now resigned themselves to the fact that Obi-Martin, who is coming off a 32-goal season with the U18s, will leave.

A host of clubs are interested in the Dane and talks with Man Utd are said to be at an early stage. FootballTransfers previously revealed that his family was pushing for him to head to the Bundesliga, but there is a valid reason why Obi-Martin will be attracted to Man Utd's project.

Mainoo example to follow

While financial considerations will, of course, be a key factor, it seems that Obi-Martin's final decision will ultimately be down to potential game time. After all, if it was purely down to money, he likely would have accepted Arsenal's bumper contract.

The problem that Arsenal face is that they can't offer academy youngsters a clear pathway to the first team. If there is one major criticism one can make of the brilliant Mikel Arteta it is that the Hale End talent factory has been neglected in Arsenal's as-yet-unsuccessful pursuit of Premier League glory.

To be sure, Arteta deserves massive credit for turning Bukayo Saka into a world-class player, but the England international made his Gunners debut under Unai Emery and the current boss harnessed the winger's undeniable talent. Besides Saka, Arteta's track record working with academy talent is quite damning.

The likes of Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith Rowe are expected to be sold and turned into 'pure profit' this summer, while the next generation of academy prospects is jumping ship - and for good reason. Last season, only two players under the age of 20 featured under Arteta.

Ethan Nwaneri and Charles Sagoe Jr made one appearance each, combining for a whopping 81 minutes of football. The likes of Reuell Walters and Amario Cozier-Duberry didn't get on the pitch at all despite being highly regarded and both refused to extend their Arsenal contracts ahead of the summer, joining Luton and Brighton respectively.

FootballTransfers previously revealed that Arsenal had given Obi-Martin a clear development plan and he was supposed to start pre-season with the first team, but actions ultimately speak louder than words and Arteta has failed to properly link the academy with the senior side.

Given the spectacular rise of Kobbie Mainoo under Erik ten Hag, who has shown a greater willingness - albeit often brought about by necessity - to give youth a chance, Obi-Martin may be attracted to the Man Utd project.

Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund all featured regularly last season, while the likes of Willy Kambwala, Omari Forson, Ethan Wheatley and Dan Gore were handed first-team minutes. Forson and Kambwala have left the club, but the latter, of course, has been replaced by one of football's biggest prospects in Leny Yoro, who is only 18.

There is a clearer pathway to the first team at Man Utd and new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe already announced months ago that the focus of the club was no longer on buying Kylian Mbappe but on unearthing the 'next Kylian Mbappe.' Perhaps Obi-Martin, whose scoring record at the youth level is outrageous, could be the Red Devils' Mbappe.