Arsenal teenager hits 25 goals in 9 games to break academy scoring record
- Chido Martin Obi made Arsenal history as he broke Folarin Balogun's Under-18 scoring record
- 16-year-old striker matched the existing record in just nine games
- Saturday saw Martin Obi net seven times against Norwich
By Tom Gott
16-year-old Chido Martin Obi broke Arsenal's club record for most goals scored across a single Under-18 campaign with a ludicrous run of form which saw him net 25 goals in just nine games.
The previous record, which was held by Folarin Balogun, stood at 25 for the entire year, but Martin Obi matched that tally across just nine games which, when added to three goals he netted earlier this season, saw him claim the record for his own.
Martin Obi bagged three against Southampton back in September 2023 but then did not score in his next five appearances before scoring a consolation in a 3-1 defeat to Brighton in February. He then drew a blank against Fulham before kicking off an unfathomable tear in front of goal.
The teenager scored four goals in back-to-back games against both Crystal Palace and Fulham and followed that up with one against West Bromwich Albion.
Two more goals arrived against Brighton before Martin Obi put five past West Ham and added one more in a 4-2 win over Aston Villa.
Balogun's record tumbled on Saturday as Martin Obi netted a ridiculous seven goals, including five in the first half, to end the day on 28 strikes in just 16 games.
16 year-old Chido Obi has scored 7⃣ goals for Arsenal U18s against Norwich! 🔥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 27, 2024
He managed to break his own record where he scored 6⃣ against West Ham 🤯 pic.twitter.com/cWt4ig7gj5
Further adding to the excitement, one of Martin Obi's goals against Norwich was assisted by 14-year-old Max Dowman, who has now created four goals in five appearances against players four years older than him.
Arsenal fans are now desperate to see Martin Obi tested at a higher level, with many even calling for the 16-year-old to be fast-tracked straight into Mikel Arteta's senior side.
Internationally, Martin Obi is eligible for England and Nigeria but has played his recent football for his homeland of Norway, for whom he has ten goals in 14 appearances at Under-17 level.
Martin Obi turned out for Norway's Under-16s before switching over to England for two games in February 2023, but he has been a core part of the Scandinavian setup ever since.
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