Chido Obi-Martin scored seven goals for Arsenal Under-18s in a 9-0 rout over Norwich City on Saturday, finding the net five times in the first half. The 16-year-old, playing two years above himself, has now shattered the single season scoring record set by Folarin Balogun, who left the Gunners last summer in a £35million deal.
Related articles
Arsenal sporting director Edu will surely have no thoughts of a sale at present, with Obi-Martin proving week after week that he has what it takes to make a real splash in Mikel Arteta's first team.
The striker is averaging well over a goal per hour of game time for the Under-18s this campaign. And with a flurry of strikes against the Canaries, his dizzying total now stands at 28 goals in just 16 games.
Balogun set the previous one-season benchmark of 25 back in 2018/19, when he was two years older than Obi-Martin. If the teenager continues to progress at such a rapid rate, Edu may have no need to seek out an expensive striker in the upcoming transfer windows.
Watch all the Premier League and Champions League drama unfold on TNT Sports
The Gunners have been tipped to enter the race for Victor Osimhen this summer, while they have also been linked with Brentford forward Ivan Toney. But keeping hold of Obi-Martin will also be a high priority as his surreal goal-scoring exploits continue to catch the eye.
Back in November, the Gunners academy star scored 10 goals in a 14-3 demolition of Liverpool at Under-16 level. Earlier this season he scored four goals in a game on three separate occasions within one month. Now a regular with the Under-18s and an occasional starter for the Under-21s, it is clear that Obi-Martin is ready for an even stiffer test.
Arsenal are reportedly hoping to agree long-term contract terms as soon as possible, even though the budding frontman cannot sign a professional deal until he turns 17 in November this year.
Related articles
It remains to be seen whether Arteta is willing to hand Obi-Martin a place on the Arsenal bench, either this season or next, as a reward for his sparkling form. The Danish prodigy, who has represented both Denmark and England at youth level, has already made clear where he sees his future.
"I would like to stay at Arsenal for a long time," he told bold.DK. "It's a good club, I can feel that I'm getting much better in 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 Under-21 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."
