Jack Wilshere says Arsenal have a 16-year-old forward who’s ‘developing nicely’

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Arsenal Under-18s manager Jack Wilshere has praised Gunners talent Chido Obi-Martin for his impressive goal haul on Saturday.

The 16-year-old forward scored four goals for Arsenal‘s U18s in their 8-3 hammering of Crystal Palace in the U18s Premier League.

Wilshere, speaking to the Arsenal website, said Obi-Martin is “developing nicely”. The Gunners coach also praised his teammates for the roles they played in the Dane’s haul.

“I’m proud of the team because, for a striker to score four, he needs his teammates, his midfielders and defenders,” said Wilshere after the match at London Colney.

“But it’s the hardest thing in football and to do it four times as an under-16 in under-18s football takes some real personality.

“Not just that side of his game, his link-up play, the way he pressed and set the tempo for us, he’s developing nicely.

“There are still things to do and get better at but I’m happy with where he’s at at the moment.”

Arsenal talent Chido Obi-Martin – factfile

Obi-Martin was born in 2007 in Glostrup on the outskirts of Copenhagen, and moved to the United Kingdom as a teenager, joining Arsenal in 2022 aged 14.

He has quickly risen through the ranks at Hale End and is now playing regularly – and looking a cut above – for the Under-18s.

Obi-Martin has played for both England and Denmark’s national teams at youth level, and is also eligible to represent Nigeria. At present, he’s playing for the Danish Under-17s.

Arsenal youth team expert Jeorge Bird has described the youngster as a “tall forward”, a “skilful player” and “one of the most exciting players in the Arsenal academy”.

Bird also reported that the teenager has already agreed a scholarship deal at Arsenal ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Obi-Martin famously scored 10 goals for Arsenal’s Under-16s in a 14-3 win over their Liverpool counterparts back in November.

And Gunners legend Wright is quoted by football.london as saying: “Chido Obi-Martin, he’s 15, honestly, he’s like 6 foot 2, he looks really quick.”