Tim Akinola labelled Arsenal teenager Salah Oulad M’Hand as ‘Bergkamp’ on his Instagram after the U23’s beat Chelsea’s youngsters 6-1 on Sunday afternoon.
In what has been a number of positive and uplifting weeks for the senior Arsenal side, the youngsters followed suit with their thumping win against their London rivals yesterday.
Salah Oulad netted his first goal for the academy and spoke about how ‘proud’ he was at the mentality shown by his teammates.
That’s not the only all-London affair that took place on Sunday because, in the Premier League, Chelsea clashed with Tottenham.
And whilst Chelsea’s kids were on the back end of a thumping, their senior side dispatched a lacklustre Spurs team that is sliding down the table, at the wrong time, or the right one if you look at it from Arsenal’s perspective.
It lays down the platform for the North London derby on Sunday, with a few academy stars hoping to start, or at the very least, make the bench.
The obvious names, such as Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka will feature, but will Mikel Arteta call upon a number of the younger and untested players from the academy?
But before that weekend showdown, Arsenal will take on AFC Wimbledon in the League Cup – a great chance for those outside of the main squad to show their worth.
So, someone like Salah Oulad will be hoping to get the nod to play against the League One outfit, after his timely performance yesterday.
Folarin Balogun, who started Arsenal’s opening day defeat to Brentford, netted a brace, so he surely has to play some part, as does hat-trick hero, Mika Biereth.
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