Mikel Arteta could shock everyone and give one youngster his Arsenal debut vs Tottenham

Arsenal take on Tottenham Hotspur right after the international break.

The North London Derby is one of the biggest games of the season for Gooners, and even though the fixture is over a week away, the excitement is high.

Arsenal have a few problems going into the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Declan Rice is suspended and Mikel Merino is ruled out due to his injury.

Mikel Arteta has a lot to think about regarding his midfield, and GiveMeSport have made a surprising claim now ahead of the derby.

Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand could make Arsenal debut vs Tottenham

Salah-Eddine Oulad M’hand joined Arsenal’s academy from Feyenoord on a free transfer in the summer of 2020.

The young midfielder has had his ups and downs in North London, but he has always been viewed as a superb talent by everyone who has watched him.

The 21-year-old was a part of the club’s USA pre-season tour squad this summer, and Salah-Eddine blew fans away with his performances for Arsenal.

That seems to have caught Arteta’s eye, and the Gunners boss is said to be looking at Salah-Eddine as a surprise option for the North London Derby.

The report claims that Rice and Merino’s unavailability has put the Arsenal youngster in line to make his debut against Tottenham.

Salah-Eddine was on the bench in the Gunners’ draw against Brighton, and although a start seems unlikely in the derby, the report claims he could get an opportunity off the bench.

That would be huge for Salah-Eddine.

What Mikel Arteta privately thinks about Salah-Eddine

Arteta has come under a bit of criticism recently for not giving young players opportunities in competitive first-team games.

That is not completely the Arsenal manager’s fault as it’s extremely difficult to give chances to inexperienced academy players when you’re challenging for the Premier League title.

However, against Tottenham in the derby, Arteta could make the bold decision of using young Salah-Eddine at some point in the game because of the issues in his midfield.

That’s because the report claims that the Spaniard is ‘an admirer of the fact that Oulad M’Hand has a big belief in his own ability, despite being aware that it will be difficult to make a breakthrough when Arsenal are at full strength and battling for silverware’.

The 21-year-old wants to become the next Arsenal academy talent to feature in the Premier League, and if things go to plan, he could get his wish very soon.