Ismail Oulad M’Hand perhaps didn’t feature as prominently as he would have liked for Arsenal U21s this season, but the talented youngster often gave a good account of himself when called upon.
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder is a very skilful player who possesses impressive creative qualities and also often contributes defensively.
Oulad M’Hand also featured for Arsenal U19s in their UEFA Youth League campaign, with his displays in that competition raising questions with regards to why he hasn’t been given more opportunities.
Capped by Morocco at U20 level, Oulad M’Hand has been at Arsenal since 2021, having previously been at Feyenoord’s academy.
Last summer, shortly after signing his first professional contract with the Gunners, Oulad M’Hand was called up to the first-team squad for a friendly against Watford.
The youngster will most likely have to be patient before he is involved with the senior squad for a competitive game but it is undeniable that he is a very talented player.
Oulad M’Hand’s brother Salah-Eddine will be able to give him much advice about how to overcome difficulties.
Salah-Eddine has struggled with injuries in recent seasons but bounced back to finish the season strongly on loan at Den Bosch.
It remains to be seen what will happen this summer with regards to Salah-Eddine’s Arsenal future, but his brother remains under contract and will now be hoping for further opportunities to show what he is capable of.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Can’t find any videos on him. Jorge, I would love to hear more of a scouting perspective on these lads. I like hearing about how academy players are doing but I think you would have so much more engagement if you indulged us in a little forecasting and highlighted their potential fit or lack thereof in the first team, where they are in that progression. Thanks for the work you do. Cheers!
I gotta agree with the doctor. There’s nothing really here to get your teeth into, nothing that fits the player into the wider picture of Arsenal. “Gave a good account of himself”, “possesses creative qualities”, “contributes defensively”, “has a brother” – forgive me Jeorge but these are nothing statements in terms of telling the uninitiated anything tangible about the player and how he might contribute to the club. Which I only bring up because I’m sure you have a wealth of knowledge about these players, I just often don’t feel like I’m able to share in it. Anyway I only… Read more »
It is difficult to make any comments about how close a player is to the first-team as over the past couple of seasons hardly any players have got opportunities so even if a player impresses for the U21s they aren’t guaranteed to play for the first-team. I also don’t want to be too critical of young players.
I appreciate your temperance, and no doubt so do these players and their families. I understand why would want to protect them from too much scrutiny.
I for one appreciates the care in which Jeorge discusses these boys as they progress through the ranks. To become a professional, not only do you have to be athletically and technically gifted, you also have to be a mentality monster. The concern is about the ones who don’t make it which will now be a higher percentage that don’t get a look in because the levels have gone up. In reality, only a Nwaneri or Chido Martin level of performance have a chance of getting into the first team going forward. The club needs to keep improving in the… Read more »
I would say you do sometimes run over whether they have the underlying potential to make it into the first team, but always in a considered and compassionate way.
Echoing Dr Gooner, thank you for all the work you do updating us on the progress of the Young Gunners.
I always used to find the features in the match day program about youth players one of the most interesting parts…. I can even remember reading about a certain lesser spotted Quincy and having high hopes.
what do you say when a lad sits on your hand? Oulad M’hand
I dare not ask if that happens to you a lot… say no more! 🧐
Ceballos left Arsenal to win plenty of CL not that he wasn’t good enough on the bench as I thought, lol.
He was on loan to Arsenal and returned to Madrid.