Arsenal are on the hunt for someone who can ease the creative burden on Martin Odegaard in midfield.
Ethan Nwaneri has impressed in recent matches, but the teenager has become a forward option out of necessity in the last month.
The Gunners are short on numbers in the attacking part of the pitch, meaning Nwaneri can no longer cover for Odegaard in the middle of the park, instead filling in for the injured Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
Mikel Arteta sanctioned the departures of Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe in the summer, leaving Arsenal light regarding midfield creativity.
Odegaard’s form has dipped as he continues to play almost every minute and looks fatigued, meaning the North Londoners are crying out for an alternative to the Norwegian.
Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand could deputise Martin Odegaard after impressive performance
Arsenal’s under-21s were defeated 1-0 by West Ham United’s reserves in Premier League 2 on Friday night.
A second-half strike from Kaelan Casey was the difference for the Hammers, seeing off a depleted Gunners’ outfit.
Several academy players were included in Arsenal’s squad for the club’s trip to Dubai, which meant that youth coach Mehmet Ali was forced to pick from a limited pool of players.
However, some familiar names featured at the Rush Green Stadium, including the likes of Zane Monlouis, Jimi Gower, Khayon Edwards and Salah-Eddie Oulad M’Hand.
Oulad M’Hand captained the side, and delivered an exceptional display that indicates that he’s hungry for first-team football at Arsenal.
The attacking midfielder spent the duration of last season on loan in the Netherlands with FC Den Bosch, making 20 appearances and scoring three goals.
Arsenal opted to keep him in the under-21 ranks this summer, after he impressed in pre-season.
Gunners fans were wowed by Oulad-M’Hand’s performances in the tour of the United States back in July, and he’s subsequently been named on the first team bench on a few occasions this campaign.
With Odegaard flailing and desperate for a deputy, Oulad-M’Hand will have done himself no harm with his performance against West Ham.
The Dutchman created Arsenal’s best chance in the first half, driving forward and picking out Osman Kamara in the box, who should’ve done better.
Excellent on the ball, the 21-year-old will surely have impressed Arteta, who likely kept a close eye on the encounter.
Evidently admiring Oulad M’Hand after picking him frequently in pre-season, there’s a chance Arteta could grant him first-team minutes if Arsenal’s injury issues continue to spiral.
Max Dowman has huge opportunity to impress Mikel Arteta in Dubai
While Oulad-M’Hand’s display against the Irons was promising, Max Dowman is the more likely youngster to deputise for Odegaard in the long-term.
Multiple Arsenal academy stars could impress Arteta in Dubai, with those left at home less likely to have a future under the Spaniard.
Dowman is undoubtedly the standout name, as he continues to stun London Colney coaches with his ability at the age of just 15.
The starlet is ineligible to feature for the Gunners in the Premier League this season as he was 14 when the competition commenced, but with some highlight training moments in the Middle East, he may be able to stake a claim to be a part of proceedings next term.
He’ll be under the microscope of Arteta’s staff for six days, providing him with a golden opportunity to push himself into the limelight in the Arsenal set-up.
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