Mikel Arteta has expressed that it is “very unfortunate” that Chido Obi-Martin left Arsenal for Manchester United, as the teenager prepares to face his former club.
The forward made the switch from the Gunners to United last summer and has already started making appearances for the first team.
Ahead of Arsenal’s visit to Old Trafford on Sunday in the Premier League, Arteta spoke about his involvement in the 17-year-old’s departure, while also commenting on Ayden Heaven’s similar move in January.
He told reporters: “Obviously, when a player decides that the best pathway for him is to leave, there’s not much you can do.
“Very unfortunate because we want to keep our players from the academy and to be very successful with the first team.
“But in that case, with Ayden (Heaven), we weren’t able to do that.”
Chido Obi-Martin Enjoying Breakthrough Season At Man United
Obi-Martin is a highly-rated youngster, and his presence in Manchester United’s first team this season serves as a testament to his potential.
With Arsenal’s ongoing injury crisis in attack, keeping hold of him could prove to be a wise decision as he prepares to face Mikel Arteta’s side.
At the start of the month, following United’s FA Youth Cup victory over the Gunners, Obi-Martin made a pointed comment about his former club.
The Red Devils secured a 3-2 extra-time win at the Emirates, booking their spot in the semi-finals.
Although the 17-year-old striker wasn’t involved in the quarter-final, he had recently been promoted to Ruben Amorim’s first team after Amad Diallo’s season-ending injury last month.
Obi-Martin made his first-team debut in an away match against Tottenham and earned additional minutes in the 2-2 draw with Everton last week.
In the Youth Cup this season, Obi-Martin has been a revelation for United’s Under-18s, netting seven goals in their three matches leading up to the victory over Arsenal.
