Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand arrived at Arsenal in the summer of 2020 after having spent time at Feyenoord’s academy.
The 18-year-old found it hard to get more game time with the Gunners’ youth team in his debut season in England as he struggled with an injury last campaign.
Things have been better for the midfielder this term, having made 15 appearances in the Premier League 2, managing five goals and two assists in the process.
The youngster has seemingly convinced Mikel Arteta, who included him in the match day squad on a few occasions, but he is yet to represent the north London club’s senior team.
Algemeen Dagblad interviewed Oulad M’Hand, where he detailed his delight on making it Arsenal’s first team squad for the first time.
“Against Leeds United, in the Carabao Cup, was the first time. That morning I was training with the U23s, until I suddenly had to stop training to prepare for the game that evening,” he told AD, as relayed by Voetbal Primeur.
“I immediately called my grandmother and brother and arranged tickets. Then you enter the packed Emirates Stadium, really magical. Then to hear the stadium speaker announce your name is a feeling that can be compared to nothing in life.
“Playing and training at a Premier League club could have been an end goal in my career. I’m blessed to be there already. And a debut is just a debut, it’s about what you do in the 15 years after that.”
Former Arsenal star Robin van Persie arrived at the Premier League side from Feyenoord in 2004 and Oulad M’Hand is aware of the comparison with the ex-Gunners captain.
“Yes, I also know those similarities, but I am often compared here with Dennis Bergkamp, because of my sense on the ball. Bergkamp is a legend, so that’s nice,” the teenager explained.
“But what I especially want is to make a name for myself. Then, like Bergkamp did, you can really write history.”
