Perry Groves admits he was impressed by ‘brilliant’ academy ace during Arsenal’s pre-season friendly

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Former Arsenal winger Perry Groves has admitted he was impressed with ‘quality’ Arsenal player during pre-season.

Arsenal drew 1-1 against Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth in Los Angeles with Mikel Arteta choosing to field a youthful side against the Cherries.

Ethan Nwaneri and midfielder Myles Lewis Skelly were among the surprise names who were handed a start during the pre-season friendly in the United States.

The aftermath of the draw against Bournemouth has been the future of Emile Smith Rowe, with HITC reporting that Fulham are close to concluding a deal for the Arsenal academy graduate.

Despite all the talk after the game being about transfers, Ex-Arsenal ace Perry Groves was keen to praise an academy star.

Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand impresses Groves

Despite all the talk about the teenage sensations in Nwaneri and Lewis Skelly, Groves was impressed by 20-year-old midfielder Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand, who has trained with the first team on multiple occasions.

“Arsenal played well in the first half,” he told talkSPORT during an appearance on the Hawksbee and Jacobs mid-afternoon show.

“When you’re watching these pre-season games you know you’re going to get some younger players in the squad because of the Euros, people are resting.

“And there was a lad last night, Salah-Eddine, who played for Arsenal in midfield just in front of Thomas Partey.

“And I know he only played 45 minutes. But he was quality. You think right, Arteta’s looking at these younger players to think right: can you make that step up? How are you going to be? Are you going to be nervous? Are you going to go and accept the ball in tight areas?

“Brilliant balance. Brilliant passing. And he came off after 45 minutes.”

Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand profiled

Little is known about the midfielder but it appears the Dutch born star could become a key player for the Gunners.

The Dutch-born star began as a product of Feyenoord’s youth system, before joining Arsenal’s academy in 2020.

The 20-year-old has since spent loan spells at Hull City and Dutch side Den Bosch but Oulad M’Hand will be hoping this is his breakthrough season at the Emirates Stadium.

His brother, Ismail, also players for the Gunners academy and Arsenal will be hoping for a big impact from the pair going forward.