Jack Wilshere and Arsene Wenger have both praised the mature performances of 16-year-old Gedion Zelalem on the Asia Tour and tipped the teenage midfielder for a bright future at the Emirates.
The Ethiopian-born, German youth international (who was unearthed in the USA) has been one of the stars of the show since the Gunners touched down in the Far East combining an eye for a pass with guillotine-like execution.
Reflecting on what he has seen from his young charge, the boss was quick to praise Zelalem’s improvement while making clear he’s still in the developmental stage.
“He’s a young player who develops well,” Wenger told Arsenal Player.
“Pre-season helps us to give a chance to these players, to get them to realise what it demands to be at the top level. He is improving very quickly and he had another appearance, that’s good for his development.”
Jack Wilshere, who himself came to the fore during pre-season cameos when he was 16, has also been impressed by the young core on tour, highlighting in particular the touch and awareness of his fellow midfielder.
“I’ve spoken about them before, especially Zelalem,” he told the Mirror.
“He sees passes that not a lot of players can. You think: ‘what’s he doing?’ and suddenly someone is in. He’s only 16 and he’s an exciting player.
“It won’t be long before he’s ready. He’s so comfortable on the ball. Even in training he’s a nightmare to play against. He keeps the ball away from you and shields it. He’s not very big but he’s strong.
“He drifts in and out of players. He’s quite a strong lad and technically he’s right up there. He can use his left and right and sees so many passes. He’s a good one for the future.”
Anybody who watched Zelalem’s incredible array of final-third passing in the last week can’t fail to have been impressed even if the opposition have been a bit iffy.
We’re not in favour of bigging up young talents before their time, we’ve seen far too many David Bentleys, but sometimes you can’t help but sit up and pay attention when a youngster of such obvious talent comes along.
Arseblog News is gonna Gedion, bang a gong, Gedion (with thanks to 300mhz).
Reminds me of Cesc
Better than Cesc with his workrate and movement at his age.
I hope the Cesc comparisons would stop they are similar but Zelalem’s vision may actually be better even at this stage. I actually think its a disservice to Zelalem because his potential is even better than Cesc’s…
The thumbs down button is the red one
Personally, in terms of style, it reminded me more of the way Xavi plays. Not making a comparison on quality mind. Anyhow, hopefully he will define his own blend.
Xavi is the old Zelalem
Zelalem is phenomenal, but many things came together perfectly after the age of 16 to make Cesc world class.
Plus he has no barca DNA
Check his first follow on his twitter. Just saying its Barca.
How the hell did he see that pass?
The smile on Wengers face after the goal said it all.
As an Ethiopian who has always supported Arsenal, I am ecstatic that the first player of Ethiopian descent in the PL is going to be at Arsenal. Zelalem means ‘forever’ in our language and hopefully, he will stay at Arsenal forever because I hate to see him playing at one of those awful clubs with players as cu*tly as John Terry.
That could be the best post i’ve ever seen on here. Congrats.
He must be Gedi with delight.
a gedi master with access to the force
Jack: “every time I watch him play I end up with a foreskin like an old tractor tyre”
GZel
God bless gedion I’m arsenal fun & I’m happy he is arsenal player & he is from ethiopia
God bless gedion I’m arsenal fun & I’m happy he is arsenal player & he is from ethiopia
Surely you mean Giselle? I’ll get my own coat, thank you.
He’s built like Raheem Sterling (better than being built like Oscar but still…) and despite being able to withstand the attentions of defenders from the Far East, I’m not sure that makes him strong.
Wilshere probably knows more than me though, so I’ll bow to his better judgement and just enjoy the way he splits defences; I can only concur with those recalling Cesc at that age, ridiculous vision.
He’s just 16. Plenty of time for him to fill out naturally as well as bulk up with the fitness staff.
Fagregas in the Making.. The pass to walcot for our third Goal reminds me of Fagregas nd Henry vs Blackburn. Its Tradition.. We unearth Talents.
did you mean that Cesc is a ‘fag’ by spelling his name that way?
I think it may have been more to do with the fact that the “g” key on a computer is situated very close to the “b” key. Though you’d make a good passive-aggressive girlfriend I suppose
“What the fuck do you mean ‘shall we go out for dinner tonight’!? ARE YOU CALLING ME FAT!?!?”
twice?
I can just imagine if (IF, NOT saying it’s EVER going to happen) Fabregas signs for United (Again, I spit on the ground at the very thought) and ends up with RvP, ”Fagragas” is probably going to be the insult of choice being thrown at him. I can see it now:
”Oh, we have a pussy and a fag against us, meh, nothing to give us sleepless nights”.
It was a Mistake Man.. U give room for others mistake bfore you judge. @Arsen U make more sense bro.
Do we really have to get homophobic now?
I mean I know we are linked with Suarez, but we don’t have to adopt ALL his vices just yet.
Jeez.
1 more season playing for the reserves and COC games, then a season playing Premier league football under Owen Coyle (I’m presuming he will get Wigan back up at the first time of asking)and then hopefully he will be ready to step in and do it for the gooners week in week out!!
Reminds me of Pirlo the way he plays. Makes himself available, keeps the ball well and is a direct passer.
Agree
Gettin geddi’ with it..
Thud! That is the noice of that one falling on the floor.
A+ for trying though but F for execusion.
Damn, the whole point is lost when I cannot spell. Noise!!! That makes me angry! Wow even THAT grows…pity it is green though.
His passses make me fall down onto knee due to sublime nature.Next franck ribery.
bit harsh…
Amoeba Beatoff’s posts are as good as his football.
how long before we sell him to Man City?
how long before your comment is hidden by a tidal wave of red thumbs?
Who is his first follow on twitter…I guess iam.zalalem an exeptional talento!!
There was a video by Samuel on twitter where Zelalem pulled off an absolutely ridiculous through ball, past 5 or 6 bodies I think. I dont have the link but goddamn! he can see a PASS!
Against Indonesia. . . .unfortunately the runner, think it was Ramsey, didn’t score. Anyone going gaga over his pass to Walcott should please look it up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UCgp_lzZr8 . At about 1:56. Good god!!
I propose we assign a nickname to the boy in question, so as to speak of his incredible deeds without drawing uneccessary and excessive attention to him. From now on, and until he’s 24, I’ll follow this very ethic.
So, fucking hell. fuck fuckity fuck me. I was certain that the only one capable of such passes was Cazorla. To see them produced, with apparent ease, by the 12 years younger Arshavin, boggles the mind!
Fabregas was 16 when he made his first-team debut. I think Zelalem will do very well in the Capital One Cup this season and a future loan move to another Prem club might do wonders. This guy is a huge talent, let’s just hope he’s winning trophies early so he won’t want to leave.
I reckon we should keep him with the first team. We didn’t loan out Cesc and he integrated brilliantly. Cups and late sub appearances would be good for him to get him in the swing of things.
I think he’s good enough to learn on the job rather than be shipped out to another club with a different style for experience. Maybe I’m wrong but I just have that feeling about him.
Blogs, isn’t Gedion Zelalem GERMAN-BORN? His father is Ethiopian but I think Gedion was born in Germany.
He’s gedion along just fine.
“Ged” out!
Does anyone know anymore about this Bernard story? Just watched his youtube compilation. Looks awesome. Then again so did Gabriel Obertan.
On Zalalem, isn’t it strange he has a Jews name when he’s black?
Your mum has a bucket. The only thing strange is your racist comments. You can fuck off now.
Couldn’t agree more LastNightEboueSavedMyLife
Linked with Suarez for just a few weeks and Arseblog visitor (supposed fans) comments starts to get more racey… good thing its over the internet otherwsie a few of us would be missing bite size chuncks from our bodies I’m sure.
LastNight you can fuck off. I’m not a racist your just a little fag who cant get a joke. everyone on this site cant handle any criticism about there team. stop moaning cause we all have too get used to finishing 4th AT BEST
Too – More than enough or excessively.
Cant – Not a word.
There – In or at a certain place.
I really can’t be bothered to retort to someone who has no grasp of the English language.
Oops, missed one.
Your – Belonging to.
there are black Jews in Ethiopia.
No.
I think it’s more strange that you can’t spell Zelalem properly (fucking hell another Carzola in the making) and that you think Gabriel Obertan ever looked good.
he’s such a huge Talent, with the Financial stability expected then we have a new Andrea Pirlo at the Emirates, only if Stan the Silent doesnt order his sell.
The black Xavi!
More like the African Iniesta
I don’t see how his colour has to do with anything.
Can’t we gunner just move on why comparing young players to old or ex gunnerz. Can’t rememb Chelsea cmparing Oscar,Hazard to d new Lamps or Cole or ever seen d new Beckham or Nistel at United. Zalelem is Gedion not Cesc. Tanx
Press 7 for a nice angle on the Zelalem goal, it sneaks through the defenders so nicely!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEd0t-IFAF0&feature=share&list=UUpryVRk_VDudG8SHXgWcG0w
[…] 来源：[Arseblog News] […]
Zelalem. Heh.
Arsenal’s players always have such cool names.
Never gonna top Perry Groves, I’m afraid
Nw we got our zelatico, sp*d fans thumb ar red
the kid has a great eye for a pass however i think the comparisons to cesc are a bit off as he was a better dribbler