Ex-Arsenal winger Perry Groves has lavished praise on Gunners midfielder Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand for his stellar performance in a pre-season friendly win over Bournemouth.
Earlier this Wednesday (July 24), the north London outfit recorded a 5-4 victory on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the end of 90 minutes. Gunners goalkeeper Karl Hein saved two penalties in the shootout following Fabio Vieira and Antoine Semenyo's goals earlier on.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Groves shared his thoughts on Arsenal's display against Bournemouth in Los Angeles, United States. The 59-year-old opined (h/t TBR):
"Arsenal played well in the first half. When you're watching these pre-season games, you know you're going to get some younger players in the squad because of the Euros, people are resting. And there was a lad last night, Salah-Eddine, who played in midfield just in front of Thomas Partey. And I know he only played 45 minutes but he was quality."
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Lauding Salah-Eddine's passing and movement, Groves concluded:
"You think right, Arteta's looking at these younger players to think right: 'Can you make that step up? How are you going to be? Are you going to be nervous? Are you going to go and accept the ball in tight areas?' Brilliant balance. Brilliant passing. And he came off after 45 minutes."
Salah-Eddine, 20, joined the Gunners' youth system from Feyenoord in 2020. The right-footed midfielder has scored six goals and provided four assists in 26 outings across competitions for his club's U23 side.
Last campaign, Salah-Eddine gained key first-team minutes during his loan stint at FC Den Bosch. The Dutchman contributed three goals and one assist in 20 games in all competitions for the Eerste Divisie side.
Arsenal in race to sign La Liga midfielder
In his Daily Briefing column for Caught Offside, journalist Fabrizio Romano offered insight into Spain international Mikel Merino's future at Real Sociedad. He wrote:
"Despite links with Chelsea and Manchester United, I’m only aware of Arsenal, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid's interest. Still, at the moment, there has been no official bid to Real Sociedad yet, so let's see how it goes in the next days."
Sharing his thoughts on the ex-Newcastle United star, Romano added:
"Arsenal's focus now is on completing the Riccardo Calafiori deal. But in my opinion, Merino would be an excellent signing; quality, consistency, good on international stage, he's a good opportunity on the market with just one year left on his deal."
Merino, 28, has found the back of the net 27 times and registered 30 assists in 242 games across competitions for Real Sociedad so far.
The midfielder helped Spain win the UEFA Euro 2024 earlier in July.
