Breaking News: Arsenal star Bukayo Saka was subbed off because of a potential injury issue after tranning last week

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka was subbed off because of a potential injury issue against Man United (Image: (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images))

Whilst it is disappointing to see a young talent leave, it is telling that he (or his people) have basically spent the last month or so being pumped around Europe looking for the most money possible. It is never a good sign for a 16-year-old to be driven by money, under the control of his handlers who do not care about his career. But we should not be surprised. We poached Obi-Martin at 14-years-old from his local Danish side KB. What I find interesting is the same fans crying that “Obi-Martin is leaving Arsenal because he has not been given a chance” are the same fans who are crying that we have yet to sign a new striker. An incoming striker would put the youngster one step further away from the first team. You either keep Kai Havertz as your first choice, GabrielJesus as second and promote Obi-Martin as 3rd, or purchase a new striker, who is then back up by Kai and Jesus, and then Obi-Martin is 4th. Some will try and make the case that Obi-Martin should be starting ahead of Havertz and Jesus. These fans do not realise how big the step up is. Plenty of young talented strikers in the past have struggled to make that transition. Whenever I have seen clips of Obi-Martin, it is clear that he gets a lot of his goals due to being bigger, stronger, quicker and more powerful than those also playing at an U18 level. As players move into the senior level, physical attributes becomes less important. And many dominating forces at youth level have looked very average when playing with men. His initial contract with Man U will be the standard 2-year one. I would not be surprised if history continues to repeat

As the squad continues to prepare for the season, I wouldn’t be surprised if some new faces arrive this week.

Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga have left. That frees up a squad spot and keeps us from becoming like Chelsea (having players changing in corridors because there are too many!).

The Italian will most likely be the first in the door, followed by that young Ajax keeper and, maybe, our fourth keeper signing of the summer, Dan Bentley from Wolves.

For those who are wondering why we may recruit four goalkeepers this summer, keep in mind that we have released four 20-something keepers from the academy, thus two will be replacing them. The other two newcomers are David Raya and an Aaron Ramsdale replacement.

Enjoy your Monday.