Arsenal: 4 exciting academy stars who could feature vs Nottingham Forest

3. Salah Oulad M’Hand

Supporters thought they might get their first glimpse of Salah Oulad M’Hand earlier in the season when he was a surprise inclusion on the bench in the Carabao Cup last-16 victory over Leeds.

An unused substitute on that occasion, it nonetheless demonstrated the high regard the 18-year-old is held within the club.

Another player who has been involved win first team training – including this week – Salah has five goals and three assists across 14 appearances for the Under-23 side this season, impressive numbers considering he operates as a No. 8 style box-to-box player.

Scorer of some exceptional goals this term, it’s his lively and technical quality in tight areas that makes him stand out from the crowd. His press resistance in that area feels so natural, and when he weaves his way into those spaces he possesses the close control and vision to pick out passes.

Even when he doesn’t have space his quality shines.

Given Arsenal are light of midfielders, as well as creative ones, Salah is certainly in with a chance of minutes against Nottingham Forest – especially since the volume of absentees in Arteta’s squad isn’t known yet, and because his place in the squad was effectively confirmed after he was left out of the Under-23 squad on Friday night.

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