Arsenal could take Chido Obi-Martin along for the USA pre-season tour to bring him closer to the first team and fend off rival interest.
According to Football Transfers, Arsenal are eager to fend off rival interest in attacking sensation Chido Obi-Martin, especially from Real Madrid, as they hatch a plan to bring the teenager closer to the first team. Mikel Arteta plans on taking the 16-year-old goalscoring machine with him to the USA pre-season tour, which might swing the youngster towards a stay at the club.
Arsenal plans on taking Chido Obi-Martin on a pre-season tour
There’s a lot of hype surrounding Chido Obi Martin this season, as the teenager has been shining for the Arsenal youth sides. He now has four four-goal hauls for the U-18s and has already been targeting some time with the first team, although he’s staying grounded with his progress.
Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal board are aware of the progress being made in the background by the 16-year-old and are eager to hold on to him. He’s probably the most prolific forward to come out of their Hale End academy, and they are now hatching a plan to get the attacking prodigy closer to the first team.
There have been interest from Real Madrid in the youngster, with the Sopanish giants alrady considering him as a big player for the future. Chido Obi-Martin considers it a dream to play for the Gunners in the future, with all signs pointing towards a long-term stay for the youngster at the club.
Arsenal, however, are not willing to take a risk with their attacking prodigy and are keen on including him as a part of their USA pre-season tour. The move might help them level off rival interest in the forward, although, going by the teenager’s comments earlier this month, he does seem to want to play for the Gunners in the future. At the same time, it appears he’s not rushing towards making it into the first team just yet.
Obi-Martin said, “I would like to stay at Arsenal for a long time. “It’s a good club, and I feel that I’m getting much better at 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.”
Arsenal to hand Chido Obi-Martin a new deal?
Arsenal are more than eager to hand the teenager a new deal to prolong his stay with the club, but they are bound by rules at the moment. While Chido Obi is expected to sign a new contract, he can only pen professional terms once he’s 17, meaning the Gunners must wait until November to get the plan going.
They could promote the player to the U-21s in the summer and let him spend an entire season in that division rather than keeping him in the lower ranks. Some good performances during the pre-season tour could help Arteta gauge his potential better, although, in his current form, he’s probably the most in-form 16-year-old around.
