Why Chido Obi-Martin leaving would show Arsenal's poor academy management

Bayern Munich are reported to hold an interest in young Arsenal star Chido Obi-Martin. AcademyScoop claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that the striker had rejected the Gunners' latest offer and was in advanced talks with the German side. However, Fabrizio Romano revealed that Arsenal are still trying to convince him to sign a new deal.

Obi-Martin is a sensational talent and for him to leave the club with such a bright future ahead of him would be a huge loss for Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal have let too many academy talents leave the club during Mikel Arteta's reign and with some already set to leave this summer, losing Chido Obi-Maritn would show how poor the club's academy management is.

Why Chido Obi-Martin leaving would show Arsenal's poor academy management

Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal's academy stars have had very little chances to make names for themselves in the first team. Omari Hutchinson left for Chelsea in 2022 as he saw a 'clearer path' to first team football with the Blues and Folarin Balogun was given limited chances before being sold to Monaco last summer.

There are more academy graduates destined to leave the Gunners this summer with Reuell Walters and Charlie Patino expected to move. These are yet more names who have been good enough to be given a serious first-team chance but just haven't received it. Chido Obi-Martin can not join that list.

Obi-Martin had an unbelievable season at just 16 years old, scoring 32 goals throughout the campaign, including netting 10 in one match against Liverpool. Despite these sensational numbers, he is not yet near first team level but will be considering his possible chances with a decision regarding his future lurking over him.

There is no doubt the Danish striker will look at previous examples of academy players under Mikel Arteta and that won't work in Arsenal's favour. The likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have enjoyed great runs in the first team but there are too many who have not. As a result, Obi-Martin could see better chances of making it with a club like Bayern rather than under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.

Arteta is brilliant at developing young players but doesn't always seem keen on giving them genuine chances in the first team. He appears to prefer having them involved in training before loaning them out and seemingly forgetting about them. Obi-Martin and future academy stars will look at this when pondering on their futures and most likely will not envision a career with Arsenal.

Arteta's lack of interest in giving academy players a chance does not speak well for Arsenal's academy management as there does not to be a clear path to the first team. If yet another star player were to leave, this case being Chido Obi-Martin, it will expose just how poor the management really is.

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