Chidozie Obi Martin: Denmark Coach Scouted Arsenal's Nigerian Rising Star Ahead of Under 17 Euros

Chidozie Obi Martin: Denmark Coach Scouted Arsenal's Nigerian Rising Star Ahead of Under 17 Euros

Robert Abong'o
May 8, 2024 at 5:26 PM
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  • Denmark under 17s coach Jesper Mikkelsen visited Arsenal's Chido Obi-Martin
  • The young striker has scored 29 goals in 17 U18 Premier League appearances
  • The Nigerian cannot sign a pro deal with the Gunners until his 17th birthday

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Denmark U17 national team coach, Jesper Mikkelsen, has disclosed that he personally visited Arsenal's talented young striker, Chido Obi-Martin, ahead of the upcoming European U17 Championship in Cyprus.

Mikkelsen's visit comes as no surprise, given Obi-Martin's impressive form in the U18 Premier League, where he has scored 29 goals in just 17 appearances this season.

The 16-year-old Nigerian-born forward has been on a hot streak, finding the net in eight consecutive matches.

Arsenal u18 striker, Chido Obi-Martin, in action against Southampton at London Colney on September 23, 2023. Photo: David Price.
Chido Obi-Martin scores for Arsenal during an U18s Premier League match against Southampton at London Colney on September 23, 2023. Photo: David Price.
Source: Getty Images

He has broken Folarin Balogun's record for most goals scored by an Arsenal player in the U18 Premier League in a single season, per TalkSport.

Mikkelsen, who has been keeping a close eye on the youngster, praised his strengths, laying focus on physical prowess, technique and ball control.

"He is physically far advanced, and in that way, he can dominate his opponent because he is so physically strong. Although he is a tall and lanky player, don't mistake him because he also has good technique and is really good at controlling the ball and finishing. In fact, he is also a good dribbler," he said, as reported by All Nigeria Soccer.

Obi-Martin has already made a significant impact on Denmark's U17 team, scoring 10 goals in 14 appearances since his debut in August 2023.

The London club is reportedly bracing itself for a fierce battle to retain his services, as top European clubs are reportedly circling to snap him up.

Arsenal promote two Nigerians to first-team

Sports Brief reported that Arsenal included Ethan Nwaneri and Cam'ron Ismail in the first-team squad for their blockbuster Premier League clash against defending champions Manchester City on Sunday, March 31.

Both Nigerian-born youngsters were spotted training with the Gunners' first team, as Mikel Arteta included them in the squad to travel to the Etihad Stadium.

Ismail was not registered on the team's main roster, while Nwaneri signed his first professional deal with the north London club.

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Robert Abong'o
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