I saw ‘really lively’ Arsenal gem prove he can be the next Emile Smith Rowe, it wasn’t Ethan Nwaneri

Add as preferred source on Google

Emile Smith Rowe now looks set to depart Arsenal, but there are several Hale End gems who will relish the opportunity to take his place in the squad.

Smith Rowe is an Arsenal fan favourite, but injuries made him lose his place in the team, and the Hale End graduate has started just three Premier League games in the last two seasons.

The midfielder broke into the team alongside Bukayo Saka, but whilst the winger has become one of Arsenal’s most important players, Smith Rowe found himself on the fringes after recovering from injury.

The 23-year-old is closing in on a move to Fulham, and many Arsenal fans believe Ethan Nwaneri is best destined to succeed him as a creative talent from Hale End.

Nwaneri was again superb in the pre-season draw with Bournemouth, which also saw several other Hale End stars feature, and one other midfielder showed remarkable parallels with a young Smith Rowe.

Arsenal youngster Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand impressed vs Bournemouth

Young attacking midfielder Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand has been one of the Arsenal Academy’s most impressive performers in recent pre-season games. He was outstanding as Arsenal under-21s beat Boreham Wood in the first friendly fixture of the summer, and he earned himself a spot on the USA tour.

Salah started in the draw with Bournemouth, and he impressed, with his supreme technical ability on display with some fine touches.

Journalist Charles Watts praised his performance, giving him an 8/10 rating and referring to the 20-year-old as “really lively.”

Salah has struggled with injuries in his career so far, but is enjoying something of a revival in this pre-season, and there are now clear parallels with Smith Rowe.

Why Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand could be the next Emile Smith Rowe

When Smith Rowe started in Arsenal’s victory over Chelsea in December 2020, which ended a seven-game winless run and arguably saved Mikel Arteta’s job and kickstarted his project, he was 20-years-old.

Salah is now the same age, and like Smith Rowe, has had a loan to the Championship, having spent half a season at Hull City. However, much like Smith Rowe’s spell at Leipzig, his experience was disrupted by injury.

Salah is a versatile attacking midfielder who spent last season at FC Den Bosch back in the Netherlands. If he can stay injury free and continue his development, he may be able to claw back one final but unlikely chance of succeeding at Arsenal, and if he is given a similar chance to what Smith Rowe gained in 2020, he may show that he is of a talent level above some of his peers.