Former Arsenal goalkeeper Rami Shaaban hoped to see Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah follow in his footsteps to the Emirates before the Egyptian star joined Premier League rivals Chelsea instead, speaking to Al-Hayah TV, via King Fut.
The Gunners have their own ‘Salah’ these days – literally.
Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand moved to north London from Dutch giants Feyenoord in summer 2020 and, if his early performances for the club’s U23s are anything to go by, the technically gifted, 18-year-old midfielder could have a big future at Arsenal.
“(We are) rewarding him for what he does every day in training and the games he’s playing, for his attitude and the quality he has. He deserves to be with us,” manager Mikel Arteta said last week after handing M’Hand a call-up to the senior squad for the 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Leeds United.
But while the future looks bright for Arsenal’s latest teenage talent, there’s another ‘Salah’ on everyone’s lips at the moment.
What would Arsenal be like with Mo Salah in their ranks?
“I watched (Salah) when he was at Basel and I wanted him to go to Arsenal,” said Shaaban, the former Gunners and Sweden keeper born to an Egyptian father. “But he then signed for Chelsea.
“What I think makes him so great is his speed. (Liverpool manager) Jurgen Klopp also worked very hard with him and gave him the confidence he needed. Usually a player can have one good season and we praise him – but (Salah) keeps doing it season after season.”
With 15 goals in just 13 games this season – including that iconic hat-trick at Manchester United last week – Salah is on track to beat the career-best tally of 44 he produced during a remarkable debut season at Anfield.
In fact, Salah has scored almost as many Premier League goals this season (10) as Arteta’s entire squad has managed between them (12).
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