The Arsenal academy has helped produce some fantastic players throughout the years, some of which make their way to the first-team, while others feature elsewhere.
While Mikel Arteta is currently enjoying the rewards of that hard work in the youth department, with Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Bukayo Saka all featuring in the senior side in important capacities there have been some exits that slipped away.
Two of those have come over the past year, with striker Chido Obi joining Manchester United last summer before Ayden Heaven followed him in January.
Both have since made their senior debuts for the Red Devils, while Arsenal have been left to think about what could’ve been for the Hale End academy pair at the club.
Why did Chido Obi leave Arsenal for Manchester United?
Chido Obi was viewed as one of the next rising stars through the academy, with the 17-year-old impressing at youth level.
His exit from Arsenal to Manchester United has come with a view to first-team football, having already made his senior debut with a few good cameo appearances.
It’s something he will look to build on, though many would’ve thought that Obi could’ve got a chance if he stuck around at the Emirates Stadium – given the current injury crisis.
The reason behind the move is widely disputed by all parties, with a report from the Times stating three different cases.
The report says that Arsenal believe Man United offered Obi a larger wage to make the switch, while the Red Devils claim that isn’t the case.
It’s said in there that Obi was motivated by making a move to find a pathway into the first team elsewhere.
While the exact version of events may never be fully cleared up, Mikel Arteta did give his own thoughts on the move.
The Arsenal boss said in a press conference: ” Depending on what is the reason, they want to go somewhere else — that is it.
“To persuade a player to stay, a player has to be willing to be with us and commit to us — and I don’t know specifically, [but] both parties will feel very different about it.
“I wasn’t too involved in that decision. When a player decides the best pathway is to leave, there’s not much you can do. Very unfortunate.”
It may well be one of the biggest missed opportunities for the side if he progresses to be the striker they are missing.
Obi isn’t the only one though, with Ayden Heaven also making the move to Old Trafford.
Why did Ayden Heaven leave Arsenal for Manchester United?
Ayden Heaven left Arsenal to join Manchester United in January, making the switch to join Obi at Old Trafford.
The defender had made his senior debut with the Gunners with a short cameo in the Carabao Cup against Preston.
However, his move came after Heaven rejected a new contract with Arsenal to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
Plenty of links followed, with Chelsea and Eintracht Frankfurt making moves to try and secure a deal for the youngster.
However, it was Manchester United who won that battle with an offer of senior football one reason behind the move.
The youngster has been involved in the senior squad at Manchester United several times since joining, making his senior debut too.
Heaven may have had a tricky time making an impact, given the depth of the Arsenal squad in the backline.
The academy graduate may go down as another missed opportunity though, with United looking to benefit from it.