It was confirmed today that two of Arsenal’s most promising players have officially been promoted to the first-team squad, with young Germans Gedion Zelalem and Serge Gnabry taking their places in Arsene Wenger’s side for this season.
The promotion of the pair is not exactly a surprise, with both players having trained with the first-team on a regular basis for over eight months, but it is still somewhat remarkable that Zelalem, at the age of just 16, has been drafted into the group.
Both players will certainly learn much from training and, perhaps on some occasions, playing with the club’s record signing and their compatriot Mesut Ozil, but it remains to be seen just how often the two players will be involved as the campaign progresses.
The likelihood is that they will both feature heavily in the club’s Capital One Cup campaign, which begins away to West Bromwich Albion later this month, whilst they could both also make late substitute appearances in the Premier League. The duo have both made the first-team bench on numerous occasions already this season, and, despite their limited experience, could have a part to play between now and May.
Whilst Zelalem and Gnabry have been promoted, several other youngsters will have to bide their time. Damian Martinez, for instance, seemed to be on the verge of making the squad following the departure of Vito Mannone, but the loan capture of Emiliano Viviano has pushed the Argentinian back down the pecking order. With Lukasz Fabianski out of contract next summer, however, Martinez will get his chance eventually and may experience a loan spell this season to aid his development.
Another player who can count himself rather unlucky not to be promoted is Chuba Akpom, with the England U19 striker having largely impressed during the pre-season tour of Asia. The signing of Yaya Sanogo and the suggestion that Nicklas Bendtner may well feature for the club again have meant that Akpom has started the season in the U21 side, but the 17 year old could still feature in the aforementioned fixture against West Brom.
Thomas Eisfeld, meanwhile, has started the campaign strongly at second-string level but needs a loan spell to really prove his talent, Kristoffer Olsson finds himself faced with a difficult task given the plethora of attacking midfielders ahead of him, whilst Hector Bellerin will have to wait another year at least to earn a promotion after Bacary Sagna’s remained with the club.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
What’s the word on Ryo? That kid is really talented and I want him to get a the chance to make it at Arsenal. If he gets half the chance Walcott got back when he was young, I believe he’ll make it.
He is in the first team squad now. With so many games, I’m sure he will get his chances now. Only Theo and him have that explosive pace.
As far as I know Wenger officially promoted him to the first squad a while back. — Pretty sure he was not going to be sent out on loan
nevermind ryo. what about eis eis baby? he should be promoted as well!
IMO Eisfled should have been promoted instead of zalaem.The guy is ready
I actually agree with the article I think Eisfeld needs a loan. He’s fairly hit and miss for the reserves. Zelalem is different though- has echoes of Cesc. Who as we all know didn’t even need to be loaned out and straight up took Viera’s shirt number. Don’t like to hype but he looks to be a bit special, he’s at the right club too.
I, like many others I am sure, have not seen enough of either to make a judgement, but AW does see them on a daily basis and obviously sees Zelalem as someone worth nurturing in the 1st team environment. Good luck to him
Yes, me too. I would have liked to see how he’s progressed since his only appearance against Reading in the COC last season. I get a feeling, Wenger is testing where this guys would fit, in the long term, if they do make the cut at the senior level i.e. Zelalem looks like he will make it at the very top level with this opportunity itself, although he might only be used in the Cup ties for now.
Your “imo” doesn’t count for shit.
Wenger knows, he’s unearthing yet another fabregas in zelalem probably rates him more highly than eisfeld and i’d go along with that.
I remember watching Ryo for Bolton, hugely impressive.
Has great pace, dribbling, and crossing…
Great player to have on the bench, can come on late and exploit tired defences
Hah, that description sounds a lot like Theo from a few years back … the dribbling part not so much
We got two of best German players of last decade in Pod and Mert, one of the best for current decade in Mesut and probably two of the best for next decade in Gnabry and Zelalem? Cant wait for Arsenal to start dominating Champions League.
Love how many young talented midfielders wengers developed (cesc, jacl, rambo, that cunt nasri etc). Got high hopes for these two
Has zelalem already committed to Germany? I thought he was Ethiopian/American/German, so theoretically could play for any of those national sides in the future. obvious choice would be Germany unless he feels a strong connection to USA or Ethiopia.
well he moved to London from the US where Danny K scouted him
I believe he has already committed to Germany…
However, can’t you change allegiances before you represent the 1st team squad? I vaguely remember the corporal having played for Finland’s youth teams but changed allegiance to England as a senior.
He has a green card for the US and that is it. Born in Ethiopia and moved to Germany and has the option to play for both. I think the US are going to really push to get him and if he has an ego, he might go that way. To be the Start of the team is something special but I feel he will go with Gemany.
Wish Ryo the best in overcoming injuries. He’s the young talent to watch in my humble opinion.
Is Zelalem playing for Germany? I believe he has more than one passport. Last I heard, the US was trying to scoop him up.
hmmm, who to play for – the US or Germany? its a tough choice!
(not really)
The US will be a real force if the MLS keeps growing like it has. He could be their first ever genuine world class player and star. Or he could be a good player for Germany, not so straight forward.
MLS is a farce… Typical US franchised sports system that is structured and only exists to make the owners rich. 18 teams for a 300million+ population base… What a joke.
If the US wants to be amongst the best sides in the world, they need to adopt a proper league system and open the game up to everyone.
WindCIty chatting out of your Arse mate did you not read the article up on here about Kronke? They have really socialist setups there in terms of Sport, apart from the NBA, which is kinda why Kronke is not the man for huge splurges
Ethiopian parents. He was born in Germany hence the reason why he’s holding a German passport. His dad got a job in the US and moved there with his family. Arsenal’s North American scout Danny Karbassiyoon recommended him to Wenger and there you go, we have a another gem playing for Arsenal.
Damnit.This isn’t the comment i was meant to reply to…
Is Danny related to Kim, Kourtney & Khloe by any chance?
I have big hopes for aneke next season
He’ll be another Jay Simpson or J.E.T
Ryo’s already part of the first team, I think. But what about Aneke? Did I miss him going off on loan?
Maybe Crewe? (i could be wrong)
He’s at Crewe again mate.
Yeah he’s at Crewe for the season. Really hope he can fulfil the potential and come back ready for first team competition
I was going to ask if this meant you’d have to add them to this season’s player profiles but a quick check reveals you already have. One step ahead, as ever.
Zele I wish z best play in arsen al
if zelalem is smart, he should use every opportunity to pick the brains
of santi and mesut. in a few yrs time, with right application, he can be a world beater
Oh man…u dont know much we are praying for him to choose Ethiopia! But I doubt it. BTW even his name is a typical Amharic(the national Ethiopian language) name. ‘Gedion’: is a name from the amharic bible who was a warrior and ‘Zelalem’ is also an amharic word meaning ‘forever’ or ‘eternity’!
So his name translates to ‘Warrior Forever’?
Awesome name!
Eisfield has dropped big time with AW he should be in b4 Zalem but I hope he can pick up his form and break in
I have heard, Eisfeld was touted to be better than Gotze. I guess he will be given the chance to prove that right.
‘*is’ touted i think is more appropriate
http://www.joe.ie/football/videos/video-set-faces-to-drool-arsenal-fans-heres-mesut-ozils-best-passes/
Imagine getting to train with this everyday, for a 16 year old like Zelalem it can only make you better. It would be like working as a pickpocket with one of the Terry family, you would learn all the little tricks
even Badebay*r score from one of his passes….
Well done boys! 5 German 1st teamers now! Could do with a few of the English lads making the step up next!
Question: When Zalalem eventually makes his EPL or UCL debut, will he be the youngest Arsenal player to do so? He must have only turned 16 at the turn of the year.
Answering myself here, Fabregas was 16 years 177 days when he became the youngest player to play first team for Arsenal (All competitions) but Wilshere was 16 years 256 days when he became the youngest player for Arsenal in the EPL.
That means Gedion had until July 9 to beat the youngest in all competitions but still has until October 9 to be the youngest EPL debutante.
Pendantic I know.
I think both playerz will make big impact 4 arsenal dis season.
I recon Gnabry and Ryo will both have big seasons, they clearly have the talent. Zelalem looks amazing, very cool customer. Can see him confounding opposition in the cup but I doubt he will make a big PL splash in a years time. COYG!!
Pleased for the pair of them and hope Gnabry makes the most of the opportunities he’ll inevitably get, he reminds me of the ox but with a bit more inventiveness if given the chance.
Thomas Eisfield does need first team football regularly and the reserves aren’t going the help him push on, so that’s a fair assessment.
There are some really exciting young players in the first team squad, all with immense potential. Lets hope the press on. COYG.
10 years ago we had a mighty firat team and a cup side full of kids that nearly turned a mourinho lead chelsea over in a league cup final. We’re starting to see similar strength now at different levels again. Good times.
Totally off point but I will only be a bad Gunner if I don’t share this with fellow gunners… http://www.givemesport.com/376348-robin-van-persie-to-regret-leaving-arsenal-for-manchester-united
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAxzU7z8etk&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Hahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahaahahaha
This is Brilliant!
Hilarious!!
that is good news to gunners fanc.
That clip of Hitler from Downfall will keep running for the ages.
And now I’ve found this… an “official” Ozil song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDZNxO1NrF4
It took me several days, but I think I finally came up with a fairly decent chant for ryo (works for Theo as well)
His name is ryo, ryo,
Faster than liiightning,
No one you see,
Is quicker than he
Gnabry and Zelalem deserve the spots. Think Gnabry has that extra raw energy and power ahead of Ryo. He has that extra unknown factor where Ryo tends to be still a bit more predictable. Zelalem is sublime. Without over hyping him, we are looking at potentially a very special player. A soft introduction into games this season with the first team will elevate his play. On the periphery : Ryo. I think it’s a make or break season as young as he is. There is so much competition on the flanks now. Eisfeld. Scored aplenty with the reserves but Ozil… Read more »