Arsenal and Manchester United’s rivalry spans over decades of action, with the two clubs sparking a feud even below senior level.
As Arsenal are to rewriting themselves as one of Europe’s contenders for silverware, Manchester United are on a rather different path.
A lot has changed since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, with Mikel Arteta implementing his ideas and Ruben Amorim attempting to clean up at Old Trafford.
Aside from the two clubs meeting with hostility at senior level, there’s been a frustrating narrative unfolding for Arsenal beneath the surface, losing two academy stars to the Red Devils.
- READ MORE: Mikel Arteta says Ruben Amorim has two advantages at Man Utd that he never did at Arsenal
Former Arsenal striker Chido Obi-Martin scores hat-trick for Manchester United
In the summer, teenager Chido Obi-Martin left Arsenal to join Man United after failing to agree a new deal with the Gunners.
The striker made the move from North London to Manchester on the back of a remarkable season, scoring 32 goals in only 18 U18 Premier League appearances.
Man United offered Obi-Martin remarkable wages to secure the 17-year-old’s signature, which has since proven to be a success for the Red Devils.
Such comes at the expense of Arsenal, as the former Gunner continues to shine for Man United, scoring freely in the academy.
The narrative continued in the FA Youth Cup as Obi-Martin scored a hat-trick for United against Chelsea to hand Arsenal’s rivals a 5-1 win in the tournament’s fifth round.
Arsenal beat Fulham in the FA Youth Cup to progress to the next round where they will come up against their former prodigy, as Man United and the Gunners prepare to clash.
The North Londoners will hope that their ex-player doesn’t punish them but, with 12 goals in 12 appearances in 2024/25, there is surely a sense of dread for the striker’s former teammates ahead of coming up against the forward.
Aside from the next round of the tournament, Arteta will be wondering what the teen could’ve offered him at this time of need in Arsenal’s first team, with no strikers available to the Spaniard.
Obi-Martin and Ayden Heaven poised to face Arsenal
Obi-Martin wasn’t the only Arsenal academy talent to trade N5 for Old Trafford, as Ayden Heaven signed for Man United in the winter window.
Now, the two former Gunners could combine to teach their old side a lesson regarding letting them go but, there’s a different plan for Heaven it seems.
Arsenal academy expert Jeorge Bird relayed that while Heaven will be eligible to play the Gunners in the FA Youth Cup at the Emirates, he is currently part of Amorim’s first-team squad.
Losing a goalscorer to Man United is one thing but, the timing of Obi-Martin’s rise is a blow in itself, as Kai Havertz has been ruled out for the season, leaving Arsenal’s number nine spot vacant.
Had a contract been agreed for the Dane to avoid his transfer to United, Arteta might have been able to utilise the deadly goalscorer sooner than expected but, such was not meant to be.
For now, Arsenal will hope that their former duo do not make them regret parting ways, with a must-watch FA Youth Cup clash coming on March 8th.
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