Arsenal's highly-rated youngster Salah-Eddine has earned rave reviews in the academy this season, prompting manager Mikel Arteta to call him up into the first team squad on several occasions.
Salah-Eddine joined the Gunners a free agent from Dutch side Feyenoord in August 2020 after spending the early part of his youth career developing in Rotterdam.
The central midfielder has impressed at Under-23 level due to his agility and creativity in the middle of the park.
But against Leicester Under-23's on Monday night, the 20-year-old sent a clear message to Arteta and his coaching staff about a characteristic not many people will be aware of.
Salah-Eddine was seen tracking back from inside his own half before putting in a crunching tackle to prevent an almost certain goal.
He celebrated the successful challenge by sharing a high-five and hug with goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, who had earlier conceded a penalty.
Arsenal’s talented young midfielder Salah-Eddine tracking back and preventing an almost certain goal against Leicester U23’s tonight. #AFC pic.twitter.com/XA5SVq6hu7
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_)
Arsenal drew the game 1-1 after Omari Hutchinson's excellent solo goal cancelled out Tawanda Maswanhise's first half penalty.
Omari Hutchinson that’s it that’s the tweet
surely gets a debut for the senior team soon pic.twitter.com/x21gCFx65g— sasha | esr (@SmithRoweHQ)
football.london understands that Arteta has been using a number of youngsters in the first team training sessions at London Colney.
The likes of Salah-Eddine, Mika Biereth and Charlie Patino are all considered on the fringes at Arsenal, a decision which was emphasised when they were named in the squad to face Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup last month.
Salah-Eddine told the club’s official website after signing for the club: "It feels great to join a massive club like Arsenal.
"It’s a good environment for me to work on my development and hopefully through the academy I can become a first-team player.
"They first contacted my dad and then I went there for a week just to see what the club is all about, and after that they didn’t really have to say anything. I immediately knew that it was the right club for me."
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