He’s only been in the Premier League for a matter of months, but one of Erik ten Hag’s more successful Manchester United signings is already acting as something of an inspiration for another of English football’s rising stars.
The fondness the Arsenal wonderkid harbours for one Rasmus Hojlund can be explained, to some extent, by their shared backgrounds.
Hojlund, the first-choice striker for the Danish national team these days, started out at Copenhagen in the capital. So too did Chidozie Obi-Martin, albeit not with FC Kobenhavn’s first-team but with with Kjobenhavns Boldklub in Denmark’s lower leagues.
Obi, who joined Arsenal’s academy in 2022, has also represented Denmark at Under 16 and Under 17 level. He had also represented England at under-16 level, with his UK roots enabling Arsenal to sign him early.
But he’s committed to Denmark now, and his those Scandinavian background is not the only thing Obi-Martin has in common with Manchester United‘s £64 million centre-forward, if The Gunners sensation’s staggering performance against Norwich City’s U18s side on Saturday is anything to go by.
Arsenal wonderkid idolises Rasmus Hojlund
Man United have dominated the Under 18 scene this term in the Premier League North – the likes of Harry Amass, Jack Fletcher and Ethan Wheatley winning a league and cup double. In the South, Obi’s barely-believable goals return means he stands out as arguably the finest talent in his age group.
Obi has 28 goals from just 16 league games this season. He blasted a hat-trick past Southampton, netted four against Crystal Palace and Fulham, hit five vs West Ham United, and then found himself in seventh heaven in Anglia.
Obi needed only one minute to open the scoring. By minute 64, he had seven to his name, his performance a masterclass in movement, efficiency and ruthlessness.
And it has not passed those eagle eyed Man United fans by that, in addition to his admiration for their number 11, Obi also follows a number of other Red Devils players on Instagram, as well as the club’s official account.
With Ineos determined to make Carrington home to the best young players in the game, it would not come as a surprise to see Man United join Ajax and Borussia Dortmund in scouting a striker who will not be eligible to sign professional terms until he turns 17 in November (The Standard).
“I really like Rasmus Hojlund,” he told Bold in March. “He is strong and powerful, so you can learn a lot from him. At the start he didn’t score that much for United, but now he has really found his form.
“He is left-footed, I am right-footed, but we can both score goals.”
Manchester United could see Chidozie Obi this weekend
Obi, unsurprisingly given that he appears to have outgrown the Under 18 pond already, is in contention for a call up to Arsenal’s Under 21 side ahead of this weekend’s Premier League 2 play-off against – guess who? – Manchester United.
The under-21 regular season is now wrapped up, with the play-offs commencing, featuring the top 16 teams from the 24-team league.
Arsenal blog the Daily Cannon reports Obi could be called up for the under-21 clash, with the under-18 league season almost over.
United have already promoted young starEthan Wheatley to under-21 level, where he scored twice on Monday, with Ethan Williams also stepping up.
With some of United and Arsenal’s top young prospects expected to be unleashed, Friday night’s match between the two teams could be a very exciting showdown.