U18 Premier League
West Ham United 1 (Ranson 71 o.g.) Arsenal 8 (Obi-Martin 13, 24, 26, 40, 61 (pen.), Kamara 44, 49, Casey 74)
Chido Obi-Martin continued his remarkable recent form by scoring five goals as Arsenal U18s secured a comprehensive 8-1 victory away to their West Ham United counterparts today.
The striker has now scored 20 goals for Arsenal at U18 level this season, matching Rhys Murphy’s record for the highest return in a single campaign by an Arsenal schoolboy for the U18s, which was set in the 2006/07 campaign.
Osman Kamara scored a brace as well as missing a penalty, while substitute Dan Casey also got on the scoresheet as Arsenal continued to impress at this level.
Jack Wilshere made two changes to the team that beat Brighton & Hove Albion in midweek, with Cam’ron Ismail coming in for Josh Ogunnaike at left-back, while Osman Kamara came in for Ismeal Kabia.
There was a familiar face in the West Ham side as they were captained by Luis Brown, who has been told that he will be released by Arsenal at the end of the season.
Ranson
Ibrahim-Clarke-W. Sweet-C. Ismail
Rosiak
Copley-Dudziak
Zecevic John-Obi Martin-Kamara
Subs: Casey (for Copley, 70), Zecevic-John (for Annous, 77) Akolbire (for Rosiak, 77). Not used: Talbot, Ogunnaike.
Arsenal made a typically fast start, with Obi-Martin opening the scoring in the 13th minute after being set up by Harrison Dudziak.
Obi-Martin then doubled Arsenal’s lead with 24 minutes gone, with schoolboy Louis Zecevic-John providing the assist on this occasion.
Just two minutes later Obi-Martin completed his hat-trick and he then proceeded to make it 4-0 five minutes before half time.
There was still time before the break for Kamara to get Arsenal’s fifth goal of the game.
Early in the second half Kamara was on the scoresheet again, but the winger had a penalty saved shortly afterwards after winning the spot-kick himself.
Eventually, though, Arsenal got their seventh goal, with Obi-Martin scoring from the spot after being fouled in the area.
An own goal from Arsenal goalkeeper Khari Ranson reduced the deficit slightly, but the young Gunners’ seven-goal lead was soon restored as substitute Casey netted after replacing the injured Louie Copley.
Arsenal then sent on Andre Annous and Bless Akolbire in place of Zecevic-John and Rosiak.
Obi-Martin will hit the headlines again with his incredible goalscoring exploits and questions will now be asked regarding how quickly he will be moved up to the U21s on a regular basis.
There are plenty of other exciting talents in this team, with Kamara, Zecevic-John and Casey all making an impact.
Arsenal, who remain in third place in the table, host Aston Villa next weekend in their next fixture.
Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth 
Enough to make you forget that Kamara has got his scoring boots back on too, as the season draws to an end.
Chido’s start to look like Haaland’s stats when he was this age. For all there was to like about the kid, Omari Benjamin was never anywhere near that level (which U18 CF is, I wonder?), so releasing Omari does seem to make a lot of sense now.
Now’s the time for the “Truman Show”‘s question: “How’s it going to end?”
I, for one, like every word of every one of Jack’s interviews, so I think he’s in really good hands, but of course striker is the most difficult position; you can never, ever be sure a young goalscorer will repeat his performances against the big boys – so I think you’re right Jeorge, the sooner Chido is tested at U21 level, the better.
I’m really tryin’ to hold my horses regarding the Academy now, but the little I’ve seen of Dowman looks extremely impressive too (14-y-o? am I the only one to think the boy has some Messi-esque stuff in him?), so maybe this is the “dawning of a new era” after all, another “special” academy era in the history of the club …
He should be well managed at this age. Still growing and hasn’t reached his height peak yet. By 23, most likely to reach Peter Crouch or Nwankwo Kanu height. A potential great future if focused. All the best to him. Be aware, there are other talented ones around too.