‘Arsenal asking serious questions internally’ after duo quit for Man United
Arsenal have asked “serious questions” internally after losing two star academy graduates to Man United during the January transfer window.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that their departures have been a “major concern” at the Emirates.
Given Arsenal’s ongoing injury crisis, 17-year-old Chido Obi-Martin’s absence has been especially felt as many believe he would have been given his chance under Mikel Arteta.
Ayden Heaven, meanwhile, made his senior debut for Man United during the FA Cup fifth round defeat to Fulham and is already a member of Ruben Amorim’s first-team squad.
As a result, questions have been asked about the lack of a pathway into Arteta’s first-team plans for Arsenal’s star academy graduates.
Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have been heavily involved at the Emirates this season, but the departures reflect an ongoing trend at the Hale End academy.
Mika Biereth left to join Sturm Graz in July and now turns out for Monaco, where he has scored ten goals in just seven Ligue 1 appearances so far.
Mikel Arteta questioned after Arsenal academy exodus
One top of Biereth, Obi-Martin and Heaven, the likes of Omari Hutchinson, Charlie Patino and Reuell Walters have all left in search of increased opportunities in recent years.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that Arsenal are asking questions behind the scenes about why the deals were allowed to take place.
“I hear serious questions are being asked at Arsenal,” he told Football Insider.
“They’ve had injury problems injury-wise at centre-back, but then Ayden Heaven makes the move to Manchester United.
“They’re having an injury crisis and can’t score a goal up front, they’ve been playing midfielders there and it looks like costing them the title.
“But their leading academy striker decided to move to Manchester United.
“It’s raised major concerns about why Arsenal allowed that to happen, and questions about the pathway for young players into their first-team setup.
“Both Heaven and Obi-Martin played for Man United against Fulham in the FA Cup.
“I’m not saying they’re the answer to everybody’s prayers, but the opportunities are there at United.
“Based on this evidence, I don’t know if those same opportunities are there for Arsenal.
“That will be a concern not only for Mikel Arteta but for the club as a whole.”
‘Clueless’ senior executives slammed for Emirates decision-making
The departures of Obi-Martin and Heaven have added to the growing frustrations behind the scenes at the Emirates despite their on-pitch success.
Football Insider’s Arsenal expert Connor Humm explained in February that the Arsenal higher-ups “haven’t got a clue” and are to blame for their current struggles.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider last month that Arteta is angry at Arsenal’s hierarchy after continued failings.
The Gunners failed to complete a single incoming deal during the mid-season window despite a clear priority to sign attacking reinforcements.
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