16-year-old striker Chido Obi-Martin stole the show again with a remarkable four-goal performance in Jack Wilshere’s side’s 5-2 victory over Fulham.

Jack Wilshere‘s Arsenal U18s continued their rampaging form with a convincing 5-2 victory over Fulham, with a standout performance from highly-rated striker Chido Obi-Martin. The prolific 16-year-old forward stole the show by bagging an impressive four goals, including two penalties, to propel his side up to fourth place in the league.

Obi-Martin, already a key figure for the U18s, is hoping to stay at Arsenal for the long term and has his sights firmly set on promotion to the U21 team next season. The Danish youth international is no stranger to scoring in bunches, having already racked up 10 goal contributions in just 10 U18 Premier League fixtures this season. His goal scoring ability extends beyond club football, with an impressive 10 goals in 14 games for the Denmark U17s.

The youngster’s talent has secured him a scholarship deal with Arsenal ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. This deal will become active at the start of next season and paves the way for a professional contract when Obi-Martin turns 17 in November.

Obi-Martin’s priorities are clear. “I would like to stay at Arsenal for a long time,” he recently told Bold.dk. “It’s a good club, I can feel that I’m getting much better in training. There are a lot of good people and good coaches, so I’m really happy to be there.”

Looking towards the future, Obi-Martin sees an opportunity to progress to the U21 team next season. “Maybe I will have to play permanently at U21 level from next season,” he said. “There aren’t that many strikers in the squad so it will be a good opportunity for me. Arsenal is a club that gives young talents the opportunity to play.”

While Borussia Dortmund have reportedly shown interest, Obi-Martin appears committed to Arsenal. His scholarship deal, likely lasting two years, will keep him at Arsenal until 2026, with a potential professional contract following in November 2024, extending his stay until 2027. After turning 18, he’ll be eligible for a longer-term contract, solidifying his future with the Gunners.

This convincing victory over Fulham demonstrates the exciting attacking potential brewing within Arsenal‘s U18 ranks. Obi-Martin’s predatory instincts and Max Dowman’s creative spark were on full display, leaving Arsenal fans with plenty to look forward to as these youngsters continue their development.

Jack Wilshere’s reaction

Jack Wilshere was a delighted coach after his young Arsenal side, featuring a blend of players from U14 to U18, secured a convincing 5-2 victory.

Wilshere expressed his satisfaction with the way his team gelled despite the significant age disparity “I really enjoyed the performance,” Wilshere said after the match. “We had a blend of players spanning from under-14s to under-18s. It’s always intriguing to see how they play together, how they fight together, and today, I felt we witnessed that in abundance.

The Arsenal coach went on to praise the younger players who stepped up: “It’s reassuring to know that if I field an under-14 who isn’t a regular in our training sessions, I can trust that they grasp our playing style and tactics,” he added. “Today, they demonstrated that understanding flawlessly, which is a testament to the diligent work of all our coaches.”

While acknowledging some room for improvement, Wilshere couldn’t hide his overall excitement. “We showcased glimpses of quality, particularly in our build-up play from the back, but we were not as consistent as we aimed to be,” he said. “We conceded goals cheaply, which is disappointing, but overall, it was a brilliant day, especially when fielding a mix of players from different age groups and securing such a convincing victory.”

Wilshere also singled out standout performer Chido Obi-Martin for special praise. “Chido has always had a knack for finding the back of the net, but what impresses me most is his willingness to learn and evolve,” Wilshere said.

“While he may be critical of certain aspects of his game, his impact on the team has been immense this season. With him being full-time and having a structured training programme next year, we hope to see him develop into an even more complete player.”