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‘That’s brilliant’: Arsenal fans react to 2 notable U23s omissions ahead of Forest clash

Arsenal fans have welcomed the absence of Charlie Patino and Salah Oulad M’hand from the Gunners Under-23s squad on Friday.

Mikel Arteta’s charges are in FA Cup third-round action on Sunday, heading to the East Midlands to take on Nottingham Forest.

Despite the two teams being in different leagues, Arsenal have taken on Forest three times in the last six years.

Arsenal Training Session
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

The Gunners beat the Nottingham side 4-0 in the League Cup in September 2016.

However, Forest got their revenge in January 2018, running out 4-2 winners over Arsenal in the FA Cup.

Then, Arsenal beat the Reds 5-0 in the League Cup in September 2019.

The domestic cups present a chance for clubs to give fringe players and academy stars an opportunity.

Patino and Salah are two of the most highly rated midfielders in the Arsenal ranks.

Given Arteta is down several midfielders at present, this means the two youngsters have a great chance of making the squad.

On Friday, the Gunners U23s faced Brighton in a Premier League 2 clash, and played out a 1-1 draw.

And some Arsenal fans were pleased to see Patino and Salah missing from the squad: