Mikel Arteta says he was “unhappy” that Arsenal lost Chido Obi against Manchester United, but rejected the idea that there is no way to young players from the club.
The teenage striker Obi left the Gunners last summer, then finished a move to Old Trafford in October.
The 17 -year -old scored 32 goals in just 18 games for the team of under 18 arsenal last season and was considered one of the hottest prospects of their academy.
Obi, however, chose to leave the club and sign scholarship conditions with Rivals United instead.
“I was not too involved in this decision,” said Arsenal boss Arteta before Sunday visit to Old Trafford in the Premier League. “Obviously, when a player decides that the best way for him is to leave, you can’t do much.
“Very unhappy because we want to keep our academy players and succeed with the first team. But in this case, also with Ayden [Heaven]We could not do it.
Obi has since been joined in Manchester United by the sky graduated from the Arsenal Academy, which signed in January.
The 18 -year -old, who had not written a professional contract with the Gunners, joined at the region of 1.5 million pounds sterling.
Losing two graduates from the Academy in United in less than a year awarded fear among certain sections of the arsenal fans base that young players estimated that they did not get opportunities at the club.
The rise of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly this season has however worked this argument, and Arteta also underlined his commitment to youth.
“I don’t know what perception is [there]internally it is not [that young players don’t get chances]”Said Arteta.
“And the reality is very different, because these players are always with us. I mean, I guarantee that if there is a player there who can help and have an impact on the first team, he will be with us. »»