Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand starred and Ethan Nwaneri impressed as the Arsenal u21s overcame Boreham Wood in their first pre-season friendly on Saturday.

As is tradition, an Arsenal XI composed of u21s kicked off their pre-season campaign with a match at Meadow Park against Boreham Wood FC on Saturday.

It ended up being a positive day for the young Gunners, with a couple of midfielders particularly catching the eye.

First half

The starting lineup included goalkeeper summer signing Lucas Nygaard, as well as returning loanees Omar Rekik, Zane Monlouis, Charles Sagoe Jr., Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand, Charlie Patino, and Khayon Edwards.

Osman Kamara, Josh Robinson, Ismail Oulad M’Hand, and Harrison Dudziak completed the first-half lineup.

It was Oulad M’Hand who made an immediate impression, scoring from close range within four minutes to make it 1-0. The midfielder then helped Arsenal to double their lead as his corner was headed in for 2-0 in the ninth minute.

Oulad M’Hand had helped to win the corner in the first place, playing through Edwards who forced a save from the Boreham Wood keeper.

But with the game threatening to get away from the hosts, Kwesi Appiah pulled a goal back in the 25th minute.

Boreham Wood briefly looked like getting an equaliser just before half time, with Nygaard making a good stop, but the flag went up for offside.

Arsenal then went up the other end and Ismail Oulad M’Hand set up his brother Salah-Eddine for his second goal of the game.

Second half

Arsenal made 11 changes for the second half, meaning Salah-Eddine couldn’t add to his two goals and an assist after the break.

Brian Okonkwo came on in goal, with Josh Nichols, Ayden Heaven, Maldini Kacurri, and Elian Quesada-Thorn in the back four. Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jimi Gower, Michal Rosiak, Ethan Nwaneri, and Ismeal Kabia played ahead of them, with Nathan Butler-Oyedeji up front.

Top Gunners talent Nwaneri instantly marked his introduction with a goal, scoring as he fell to convert a Kabia cross for 4-1.

That was the first of a few chances for the youngster in the second half, as he hit the wall with a free-kick and fired over late on.

A Boreham Wood trialist pulled one goal back in the 64th minute for 4-2, and an Arsenal clearance off the line denied them a third. The second-half team held on for the win and a positive start to pre-season.

Arsenal academy pre-season fixtures and results