Arsene Wenger – This youngster is “very promising”

Arsene Wenger has hailed Arsenal under-23 star, Ismael Bennacer, as reported by Squawka. 

The 19-year-old midfielder switched his allegiance to Algeria from France this season and due to an injury to Saphir Taider, has consequently been called up to the Algeria squad for the African Cup of Nations. 

Arsenal bought the youngster from French second division side Arles-Avignon in 2015 as an attacking midfielder, he has been converted into a box-to-box midfielder for the Gunners. Wenger sees a great deal of promise from Bennacer and is excited by his future potential. 

“We’re without Mohamed Elneny at the moment, who is at the Africa Cup of Nations. Ismael Bennacer is there too, with Algeria.”

“Ismael is not a player who is spectacular, but he’s very efficient. He’s the kind of player who, once you put him in a team, you don’t take him out.”

“He can defend very well, he’s a fighter, a left-footed player and is very efficient going forward. He’s a real box-to-box player. He can do all kinds of jobs. He’s still young, lacks a little bit of experience, but it a very promising player.”