Meet Chidozie Obi-Martin - the Arsenal prospect who scored 10 goals in one game
Teenage striker Chidozie Obi-Martin caught the attention of the footballing world at just 15 years of age, when he became a viral sensation after scoring a mind-blowing 10 goals in one game, as Arsenal's under-16 side claimed a scintillating 14-3 victory over Liverpool's youth side in November. The young Arsenal striker has been predominantly playing at U18 level this season for the Gunners, but is still eligible for the U16s and dropped down for a weekend with the older age group not in action on that occasion.
Born in Denmark in 2007, Obi-Martin relocated to England as a young teenager, after impressing at youth level in Copenhagen. Already standing at almost six foot two, the youngster is blessed with electric pace, and goals seem to be a formality in his game. He turned 16 on November 29th, but at 15, he bagged his first hat-trick at the U18 level against Southampton this season. The Denmark born forward is already developing far ahead of his age - his meteoric rise has seen him play for the U21’s team against Brighton this term, and he was even part of Mikel Arteta’s first-team training in the lead up to the Gunners’ 2-0 victory at home to Sevilla. Although, ultimately not included in the match day squad.
When it comes to which nation the talented youngster could represent, there is a dilemma presented. At international level, Obi-Martin has an impressive seven goals in nine games for Denmark's U17 side. Four of those came in a 6-2 victory over Scandinavian rivals Norway. However, the Arsenal man is also eligible to play for England - who he has represented at youth level - or even Nigeria, through his father. He switched allegiance to play twice for England U16’s before shifting back to represent Denmark U17.
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There has been reported interest in the youngster from other top European clubs, with Obi-Martin able to sign his first professional contract on his 17th birthday next November, but there already reports he has agreed to a scholarship deal with Arsenal for the 2024/25 season, with a view to signing a pro contract three months into the new campaign. Obi-Martin may be encouraged by seeing the path to the first team of former academy products Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson, who are all regular members of Arteta's first team squad.
Jesper Mikkelsen is Obi-Martin's coach at international U17 level, and speaking to Bold about the striker’s qualities, the Danish coach said: “Right now he is really dominant because of his physique, but I don't think that is the only reason. His greatest characteristic and challenge is that he really wants to score goals. When I say it can also be a disadvantage, I mean that he can sometimes play his own game. He is searching for chances, where he forgets that you also have to play with the others."
From December 1 to 24, we introduce new players from different countries born in 2006 and 2007. Area managers, users, and data scouts come into play as experts throughout the series. You can follow all those players by adding them to your TM watchlist.
- Date of birth/Age:
- Nov 29, 2007 (16)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Arsenal FC U18
- Contract until:
- -
- Position:
- Centre-Forward
- Market Value:
- €400k
- Date of Birth/Age:
- 26.03.1982 (42)
-
Nat.:
- Current club:
- Arsenal FC
- Current Position:
- Manager
- Contract until:
- Jun 30, 2025
- In charge since:
- Dec 22, 2019
- Total Market Value:
- €1.12bn
- Competition:
- Premier League
- Position:
- 2.
- Manager:
- Mikel Arteta
- Squad size:
- 25
- Latest Transfer:
- David Raya
