Arsenal allowed a number of talented players to leave the Emirates Stadium in 2024.
Mikel Arteta sanctioned exits for Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah – who joined Fulham and Crystal Palace respectively – while Mika Biereth was also allowed to go, a player who is now shining at Monaco.
Furthermore, Nuno Tavares is impressing at Lazio – after Arsenal let the Portuguese defender move on loan with an obligation for the Italian giants to buy him permanently.
Elsewhere, Chido Obi was allowed to join Manchester United on a free transfer in October after Arsenal refused to meet the 17-year-old’s wage demands, and Leny Yoro has now made a big claim about the teenager striker.
Leny Yoro backs Chido Obi to become one of the best players on the planet
The Frenchman – who joined Manchester United in a £52m move from Lille back in July – is a huge fan of Obi.
Yoro told Viaplay: “Chido is talented. He can become one of the world’s best strikers in my opinion, if he continues his development. He scores a lot of goals and is a good boy, so I also hope that he will become one of the best.
“He has had his chance in a few games, and I of course hope that he will soon open his goal account in the first team. That will help the team.”
Obi – who Bayern Munich also wanted – remarkably scored 32 goals in just 21 games for the Arsenal U18 side before his move to Old Trafford, where he has continued his fine form with 12 goals in nine appearances for the U18s.
Ruben Amorim has since handed the Danish striker four senior appearances, suggesting he is very much on the cusp of becoming a first-team regular if he can replicate his efforts in the academy.
Manchester United want to take another wonderkid from Arsenal
Obi is not the only prodigy from Hale End who Manchester United like.
TBR Football understand Manchester United also admire Max Dowman – as do Barcelona.
Max Dowman. Remember the name.
15-years-old 🤯#FAYouthCup #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/hiXMsw1GRW
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 1, 2025
The 15-year-old is already part of first-team training under Arteta at London Colney, and is a regular for the England U17 side despite only turning 15 in December.
If Arsenal lose Dowman – after already losing Obi to a Premier League rival – questions will surely start to be asked.
