Arsenal’s Hale End Academy has produced some top players over the years, and the club have yet another diamond on their hands.
The likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have become first-team stars after breaking through in the academy in recent years, whilst young midfielder Ethan Nwaneri has been earmarked as a top prospect for the future.
There is another potential star in the making within the academy in the form of 16-year-old striker Chidozie Obi-Martin, who has been breaking countless records for the under-18 side this season.
He recently became the highest-scoring schoolboy in the history of Hale End, and his recent form has led to suggestions that he should be playing at a higher level within the club, and he is continuing to light up the pitch.
Chido Obi-Martin breaks Folarin Balogun scoring record for Arsenal under-18s
Jack Wilshere’s under-18 side took on Norwich City today, and Obi-Martin came into the game with 21 goals to his name this season, just four short of Folarin Balogun’s record for the under-18s.
Balogun scored 25 goals in 2018-19, setting an under-18 record for the club, and he would go on to secure a big-money move to Monaco after several loan spells.
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This therefore highlights how impressive Obi-Martin’s recent form has been, as he then scored seven times in the game against Norwich, with five to his name by half time, to smash Balogun’s record.
Arsenal youth expert Jeorge Bird has described him as ‘ridiculously good’ during this performance, and pointed out that his current form is “unprecedented.”
Chido Obi-Martin needs to move up a level in the Arsenal Academy
It is clear that the teenager is simply too good to play at under-18 level, and even he has hinted that he would like to move up to the under-21s.
There is transfer interest in the Danish forward from Borussia Dortmund, but Arsenal are confident of keeping him at the club, and will be monitoring his development closely.
At 1.88m tall, he may possess a physical advantage over players at under-18 level, but his talent level, and his finishing ability make him an elite prospect, and his goal record speaks for itself.
Next season, he should be playing in the under-21 side, even if he initially struggles to adapt to the step up, and it will be interesting to see whether he can maintain his remarkable form.