Arsenal rejects Ismael Bennacer has been named 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Player of the Tournament following Algeria’s triumph on Friday night.

The 22-year-old tireless midfielder produced a string of outstanding performances, breaking up most of the opponents’ attacks but also remarkably providing three assists up front, including the one from which Baghdad Bounedjah scored the winner in a 1-0 final victory over Senegal.

Bennacer, who plays for the Serie A side, Empoli was outstanding for the Desert Foxes throughout the competition after featuring in seven games for the Algerians and registered three assists en route to claiming their first Africa Cup of Nations time since 1990.

The talented midfielder who is expected to join Italian giants AC Milan before the start of the new European season also scooped two man of the match awards in the competition.

Bennacer becomes the second Algerian ever to claim this honour after Rabah Madjer in Africa Cup of Nations 1990.