Man Utd can get another Chido Obi-Martin from Arsenal. (Image: Getty)
could repeat their heist of wonderkid Chido Obi-Martin, with another of the Gunners’ exciting prospects potentially heading out the exit door, according to reports. are said to face a fight to keep teenage defender Ayden Heaven as multiple rivals hunt for his signature.The north London giants suffered a painful blow when Obi-Martin walked away from the club to join United’s academy set-up on a free transfer in the summer.The 17-year-old striker is already making waves in Manchester, scoring seven goals in as many games for the Red Devils’ Under-18s side.
have a reputation similar to that of United for promoting youth talent into the first team. has headlined the Gunners’ recent graduates, while Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are other examples currently involved with ‘s senior squad.However, Hale End has also lost a number of talented prospects in recent years, including Obi-Martin. Omari Hutchinson is now a key player for Ipswich Town after leaving for rivals .And Heaven could be the next to slip through ‘s fingers after reportedly rejecting the club’s efforts to lock in a professional contract.According to , , , , and United have joined United in showing an active interest in the 18-year-old.
Arsenal face losing Ayden Heaven. (Image: Getty)
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are said to have most recently offered the England youth international a professional deal when he turned 18 in September.However, he hasn’t put pen to paper, leaving the Gunners with work to do to convince him that there is a pathway to first-team football.The report adds that there is heavyweight interest across Europe. Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Napoli and Marseille have also been credited as suitors.Arteta has named Heaven, who can play as a centre-back and left-back, on the bench in games this season, two of which have been in the last month.
Heaven featured for during pre-season, including against United in Los Angeles, when Arteta showered the starlet with praise.”Very impressive. At 17, I don’t know how many players are able to do that on a stage like this,” Arteta explained after the friendly with United.”He’s lost a duel against one of the strongest and fastest players in the world []. It can happen.”But the reaction afterwards, the composure, the quality, the body language that he had were all remarkable. I’m really happy with him.”