Salah-Eddine suffers setback on return from injury

When Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand joined Hull City on loan last summer, there were concerns that he wouldn’t be seen in an Arsenal shirt again.

Hull had the option to sign the midfielder permanently if he made a certain amount of appearances during his loan spell. However, that scenario didn’t end up transpiring, with Salah-Eddine not making a single appearance for Hull due to injury.

Arsenal elected to recall Salah-Eddine last month and he is now back with the Gunners as part of the U21 squad, while he has also been involved in first-team training sessions.

On Friday Salah-Eddine made his first start since his return as Arsenal U21s took on West Ham United.

Although he was understandably a little rusty, the 19-year-old showed some glimpses of his undoubted ability during the 1-1 draw. Unfortunately, he injured himself while taking a free-kick and had to be substituted at half time.

It is hoped that Salah-Eddine won’t be out for too long, although it is perhaps inevitable that he would suffer a slight setback given his recent struggles on the fitness front.

Salah-Eddine will be hopeful that he can still make a major impact for the U21s before the end of the season, although there is much competition for places in midfield for Mehmet Ali’s side.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Salah-Eddine in the summer. His contract runs until 2025, so it is possible that he could be loaned out again next season and hopefully he will be able to enjoy an injury-free spell elsewhere.

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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird