BACK in March last year, Arsenal U18s boss Jack Wilshere was coy about who the future of the club could be.
He first name-dropped Charlie Patino, currently on loan at Blackpool after scoring on his Arsenal debut against Sunderland.
But Wilshere was also adamant another top talent should get a mention.
Wilshere told the Evening Standard: "I don’t want to tell you about a player who I think is really good then put pressure on him and it doesn’t work out.
"But there’s a few in the academy. The fans will watch the under-23’s and know about Charlie Patino, who got his chance.
"But then there are other players out there, there’s a boy called Salah who is really good coming through. There’s a lot of players in that group who are technically very, very good."
READ MORE ON ARSENAL
How Man City and Arsenal compare from bosses to squad values and Insta fans
Palace aim to fend off Zaha Gunners switch, £100m Rice transfer latest
The Salah Wilshere referred to wasn't the one that's made his name at Anfield.
He was talking about the brilliant box-to-box midfielder Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand, who has been lighting up Arsenal's U23 side for several seasons and spent the first half of this season on loan at Hull City.
Shaking off injury
The Dutch youth international, 19, moved to North London in 2020, after he was released by Feyenoord
But his first year at the club was blighted by injury.
Most read in Football
Shelvey sent home by Cooper for 'throwing toys out pram' after being benched
Man Utd want to pay Kane and Rashford £600k a week… funded by De Gea wage cut
Inside Levy's meeting with four-man 'Player Committee' that saw Stellini sacked
Tottenham AXE Stellini as interim boss after Levy meets with senior players
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
A fracture near his ankle ruled him out from September 2020, all the way through to late August 2021.
When he returned to the fold, there were doubts whether he would be at the same level. Arguably, though, he was better.
Salah played 21 games in all competitions last term, including the Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy, and scored six times.
There have been some memorable goals too.
The teenager scored an absolute screamer against Man City, assisted a goal against Man Utd, and forced a Chelsea player into an own goal. Salah has made up for lost time.
First team introduction
It's common practice now at London Colney to see Arsenal's stars of tomorrow training with the first team and Mikel Arteta, a manager who is keen to promote from within.
Salah mixed it up with the current stars last term and has impressed the Spaniard.
Back in November 2021, to encourage and reward the kid, Arteta included him in the squad for a last-16 EFL Cup clash with Leeds Utd.
Although he didn't get a game, the boss explained his reasons for naming him in the 20.
Arsenal were "rewarding him – for what he does every day in training and the games that he’s playing, for his attitude and the quality he has – he totally deserves to be with us".
In the years to come, that steely determination, hard-working nature, and ability might be enough to see him prosper in the first team as a regular starter.
Loan ranger
Indeed, Salah looked to take the next step with a loan move to Championship side Hull City last summer.
There were big expectations he would become a key player for the Premier League promotion hopefuls.
However, Salah's injury problems reoccurred while up north.
He failed to make a single appearance for Hull.
And Arsenal made the decision to recall him in January, allowing the youngster the proper time and rehab to fully recover.
Man City vs Arsenal – all you need to know ahead of the massive Premier League showdown.
Source: Read Full Article
