Over the years there have been several instances of siblings playing for the Arsenal youth teams, with recent examples including Justin and Gavin Hoyte as well as Chris, Joe and Matty Willock.
Currently Arsenal have Brian Okonkwo, the younger brother of Arthur, in the U16 squad and there is the intriguing possibility of them one day competing with each other in the first-team squad.
In addition, Arsenal also have Ismail Oulad M’Hand in their U18 squad, who is the younger brother of Salah-Eddine.
Salah-Eddine endured frustration with injuries last season but this campaign he has been one of the star performers for the U23s and has also been heavily involved in first-team training sessions as well as getting on the bench on several occasions.
Like his brother, Ismail is also a midfielder, although he is slightly more defensive minded than Salah-Eddine.
Ismail, 17, signed scholarship terms last summer after joining as an U16 player. He was previously at Feyenoord with his brother.
This season Ismail has been on the fringes for much of the campaign but he has started to become involved of late.
After scoring for the U17s against Millwall in the London Cup recently, Ismail has seen his stock increase somewhat and he has also made a couple of appearances for the U18s of late.
Ismail will hope that he can enjoy a strong end to the season before really pushing on next season and becoming a key part of the U18 team.
If he continues to develop then Ismail could well line up alongside his brother for the U23s next campaign.
—
Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Some very talented youngsters coming through our Academy and these two youngsters are right up among the best. The future looks bright.
Does anyone knows what’s up with Charlie Patino, please? He’s presently nowhere to be found.
Or have I missed something?
He was injured, currently recuperating.
Salah-Eddine is a prospect, on the other M’Hand so is Ismail.