ARSENAL fans are raving about their “next starboy” after a 16-year-old wonderkid bagged SEVEN goals on Saturday.
The Gunners are currently spearheaded by Hale End product Bukayo Saka, but could soon have another Premier League star on their hands.
Chido Obi-Martin kept up his remarkable scoring run for the Gunners’ U18s with a 17-minute hat-trick in a 9-0 victory over Norwich.
The Danish forward took his tally for the Arsenal youngsters to 29, eclipsing the single-season record held by Folarin Balogun.
Obi-Martin has featured for Arsenal’s U21s and dropped down to the U16s earlier in the season, when he netted 10 times in a 14-3 win against Liverpool.
It is understood that the teenager was brought into first-team training sessions by Mikel Arteta earlier in November.
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And fans are utterly elated with Obi-Martin’s dominance.
One wrote: “Another Arsenal Starboy incoming in the ranks. Brilliant and always well composed. Can’t wait to see him in the first team.
A second said: “Forget signing a striker in the summer, We have another Star Boy!”
Another wrote: “He’s a generational talent. Need to keep him in bubble wrap for protection.”
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Obi-Martin is eligible for Denmark and England, having represented both countries at youth level.
After playing for the U16s of the two nations, he has only featured for Denmark’s U17s.
Meanwhile, former Arsenal wonderkid Jack Wilshere manages the U18s.
When asked about Obi-Martin’s progress, Wilshere said: “He has improved so much, his hold-up play, back to goal, the way he links, the way he presses as well.
“He wasn’t too keen on pressing but now he is. He’s got energy, good pressing, wins the ball back.”
Obi-Martin’s recent form
The Dane has bagged a remarkable 24 goals across the last seven games.
The youngster started off his high scoring cameos with four goals in Arsenal’s 8-3 victory over Crystal Palace U18s in March.
He then notched four against Fulham and one in the following match up with West Brom.
Before scoring two against Brighton, and FIVE against London rivals West Ham in early April.
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Obi-Martin got one against Aston Villa, five days after the first-team lost 2-0 at the Emirates.
All topped off by his latest seven goals in 64 minutes against Norwich.
Mikel Arteta’s striker shopping list
By Jordan Davies
ARSENAL are stepping up plans to sign a world-class striker in the summer after their Champions League heartbreak.
Mikel Arteta splashed out £204.5m last summer on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.
But the Spanish manager accepts he needs a proven goalscorer to take the club to the next level.
And here are the players he is looking at to get the Gunners firing:
BENJAMIN SESKO (RB Leipzig, value £40m-£45m)
One for the future at 20 years old. Scored 16 goals for RB Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga last season and the Slovenian has carried on that good form in Germany with Leipzig this campaign.
VIKTOR GYOKERES (Sporting Lisbon, value £60m-£80m)
Been scouted several times this season. The Swedish striker, 25, is more of a traditional No 9 so may not suit Arsenal’s demand for flexibility but would bring a physicality that boss Mikel Arteta craves.
ALEXANDER ISAK (Newcastle, value £75m-£85m)
Impressed in his first two seasons in English football. The Swede, 24, has the pace and finesse to match his finishing ability, and Eddie Howe’s Toon may need to sell to balance the books this summer.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE (Bologna, value £45m-£50m)
Dutch wonder is attracting the attentions of clubs across Europe. At 6ft 4in the 22-year-old forward would have no trouble adapting to the Premier League and already has an eye for goal.
XAVI SIMONS (RB Leipzig, value £70m-£80m)
An incredible talent in the Bukayo Saka mould, currently on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. The future of the Dutch attacker, 20, depends on how much money his parent club want to make from him.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
