Five years ago Gedion Zelalem, having just signed scholarship terms with Arsenal, provided an indication of his vast potential with some superb performances for the first-team during pre-season.
This summer Zelalem will be looking to make a major impact again, albeit in rather different circumstances.
The United States youth international has been out for over a year due to a knee injury and, although his Arsenal future is far from certain, he will hope to at least prove his fitness and play some part in pre-season.
Yesterday Zelalem, who is doing fitness work at London Colney during the close season, met the club’s new head coach Unai Emery and it will be intriguing to see whether the midfielder will receive opportunities to impress in the first-team.
Arsene Wenger was an influential figure in Zelalem’s development as he gave him his senior debut but the prospect fell down the pecking order prior to his injury, to the extent that he found himself on the bench for the U23 side behind players who were two or three years younger than him.
Now Zelalem could be afforded another chance to finally make the step up to the first-team.
It certainly won’t be an easy task, and he has much to prove, but if he is afforded an opportunity then the starlet will be determined to seize it, even more so given the difficulties that he has endured recently.
His core qualities remain very much intact – Zelalem is a superb passer of the ball who is capable of unlocking opposing defences with ease, while he is also an impressive dribbler.
In recent years his all-round game has improved considerably, as demonstrated by the fact that he now tracks back with greater regularity and is alert defensively.
It is notable, too, that Zelalem’s time in the gym has led to him becoming notably stronger physically, which is a major positive given that one of the major concerns surrounding him previously was that he wasn’t especially strong.
At the age of 21, Zelalem no longer has quite so much time on his side to force his way into the first-team at Arsenal and, one way or another, a decision on his long-term future is likely to be made within the next year.
If Zelalem can get himself fully fit for the start of pre-season and make a positive first impression under Emery then he might just have a chance of salvaging his Arsenal career and fulfilling that potential that he demonstrated as a 16-year-old.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Thought he was the new Fabregas at one point. Not optimistic but would be great if he can take a huge step up.
It is a new regime and he may yet fit into the frame. We are moving from the era of building the team round 1 man to the era of building a system where the top talents excel in their positions.
I saw the video, but I didn’t know that was Zelalem. I kept asking myself, who the fella was. It makes the narrative more exciting, like a younger version of Ozil and JW in one, this Zelalem.
Wasn’t he sought after by Barca in his youth? He’s got the skills, but needs to improve his decision making
We seem flush with great prospects at the moment, which is terribly exciting if we can give them the change to play. In the landscape of absurd transfer fees and the clubs that can lavish the money without a second thought in building their squads, it will be tough for Arsenal to balance the need for greater competitiveness with developing these prospects into bona fide players. But this is what we’ve been good at in the past, so hopefully it wasn’t all down to Wenger. Would love to see Zelalem become something special in red and white.
Thanks for the status update, Jeorge!
I’d forgotten about him, it would nice to see. Bunch of prospects get a chance next year
Physically he looks much stronger… with the lack of dribblers in first tea he has a good chance to give one last shot at his Arsenal dream. Pulling for him! ??
Him,Lucas,Bielik.next seasons LANS sorted!
I forgot he existed before I saw this headline.
Good luck to him.
Good luck to him, but he has zero chance here. Zero.
Because…?
Because he’s nowhere near the required quality.
Down-votes won’t change that. Get back to me in a year or two when he’s plying his trade somewhere else.
Most people have such unrealistic/naive expectations when it comes to youth players.
Next year would be his make or break point for Arsenal.
If Wilshere leaves he might got some chance to the first team, but otherwise, it seems unlikely…
Could be perfect as an “Ever Banega” type of player. Could play more adadvanced and also in a deeper role to dictate play. He has all the qualities of Banega, he is just missing the stockiness/strength.
He could be the surprise/comeback of the season.
I seem to remember that he had all the talent but maybe not the application, and was a bit arrogant in the past. Maybe the injury has made him realise that he needs to put the effort in. He looks a lot stronger and more determined, I hope he succeeds.
Nope Emery clearly said in his press conference that he won’t focus on youth as of now. He said experience is the key. I guess zelalem wouldnt get a chance that soon.
Don’t forget The Jeff. These promising players come and go. Gnabry. People have short memories. That said, I don’t think we should be doing things too much on the cheap. Its been a risk (with wenger) with too much at stake on promise over pragmatic ready made (just in case the promise doesn’t happen) Until they show return on promise, we should hedge against it whilst affording them some look into first squad (League cup early stages FA) Case in point defense. We will risk it hoping for one of Chambers, HOlding or Mavropanos to step up. If they do… Read more »