Gedion Zelalem arrived at Arsenal with a reputation for being a prodigious young talent.
There were suggestions that he would follow in the footsteps of fellow midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere by making an impact for the first-team at an early age, but, aside from his cameo appearance against Coventry City in the FA Cup last season and a smattering of pre-season outings, Zelalem hasn’t been heavily involved for Arsene Wenger’s side.
In fact, despite officially being a member of the first-team squad, Zelalem doesn’t regularly train with the senior side, with other youngsters, such as Ainsley Maitland-Niles (who has travelled with the team for tomorrow’s game away to Stoke City) being drafted in instead.
So, has Zelalem failed to develop as planned or are the club merely waiting before casting him into the spotlight.
The latter answer would appear to be the correct one. Zelalem drew some criticism last season for failing to make too much of an impact in some games at youth level, but there has been a notable improvement in his performance levels this season. Perhaps his best game came against Galatasaray in the UEFA Youth League when the 17-year-old scored an excellent goal.
At 17 Fabregas was a major part of the Arsenal team, whilst Wilshere had already featured in the Premier League at the same age.
Zelalem is having to wait a little longer for his opportunity to impress, but it is far too early to start worrying about whether he will ever fulfil his promise. The German youth international has developed into a more tactically aware player in the past six months, but he still has some way to go in that regard and does still possess a penchant of giving the ball away in dangerous areas.
With regards to his strengths, however, Zelalem’s ability to play killer passes is not in doubt. He has frequently been deployed as a deep-lying midfielder, often alongside Maitland-Niles, in youth matches, yet he can influence games far more easily from the number ten position.
In July Wenger indicated that it could take up to a year for Zelalem to be fully ready for first-team football. His technical qualities are there, but, despite some recent improvement, he still needs to bulk up physically.
Then there is another problem to consider. Zelalem currently has Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey ahead of him in his position in the first-team, whilst the experienced Tomas Rosicky has barely featured this season.
A favourable draw in the FA Cup, perhaps at home to a lower-league side, would present Wenger with an ideal opportunity to assess Zelalem’s credentials in a competitive environment. If that doesn’t materialise, then he will in all likelihood have to wait until next season for his chance.
Zelalem’s talent is obvious, even if his route into the first-team picture is currently unclear. He will get his chance eventually and his intelligence in possession should help him to seize that opportunity. For now, it is simply up to him to continue to perform at youth level and wait patiently for his moment.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
Would love for Ozil to take him under his wing and he can be the one blowing kisses to crowd after Mesut leaves for his retirement tour in the Bundesliga.
I love this idea… and I miss Ozil’s kiss(to the crowd)!
I’m personally very happy Wenger is taking a more patient approach with Zelalem. I don’t know… I just don’t like to see teenagers thrown out to the wolves. Obviously, some players can handle it (i.e. Fabregas, Wilshere) but they’re the exception not the rule.
Completely agree. With an insanely spinning news cycle there is no point in prematurely ruining the young man’s composure just because he is taking his time to find his feet (and the caviar passes).
I don’t think that Wilshire has handled it or lived up to the hype.
A couple of games for England recently he has shown some promise. But I think he is still a liability for the mighty Arsenal especially when Ozil is shoved out wide to accommodate him. It’s an insult to Ozil, imo.
100% agree with you
We have won all games since Wilshere got injured.
Is that so?
Hope it’s more a case of not over exposing an young talent.
During Fabergas times, we needed to catch them young and watch them grow, at times painfully (while I think we deserved the title in 2008 until thuggery stopped us).
We don’t have the same pressure with the young kids with potential. So they can afford to grow at their own phase and we can even afford to send them on loan to learn the trade.
these young midfielders Crowley and Zelalem etc should learn the anchor role , that position is the easiest to break in at Arsenal seeing we have 2 30+ old DMs and reluctant to buy
My question would whether they are big and tough enough to play the role. Aren’t both of them more a Fabregas than a Vieira?
Zelalem is clearly good on the ball but I wonder if he’s fast enough. He seemed pretty slow to me the few glimpses I saw of him. Hopefully, I’m wrong.
Yeah like that Xavi-guy, brilliant on the ball but just to slow to make an impact in the game…oh wait
Zelalem is a talent with a chance, but let’s be honest and say his shine has worn off just a little. Not only is the competition above so intense (we still struggle to accomodate Jack, Ramsey & Ozil on their ideal positions at the same time), but he’s got serious competition from Niles and the ever grown Crowley, who though has operated on the flanks, is still very much a central midfielder.
Personally it’s also better not to push them so early. Other then the mental aspects, we’ve seen it have physical stress on players being overplayed too early.
Having watched him recently in the under 19 match aginst Dortmund, he does appear to have bulked up physically. He’s allso been working on the defensive side of his game and appears to be more focused on that. It’s an area which we have failed with youth players in the recent past. I would be surprised if we didn’t see him in this season’s FA Cup (draw permitting).
I do hope Zelalem gets his chance to break through but, personally, I’m eagerly awaiting Gnabry’s return.
Heard Maitlans Niles has played exceptionally well at CDM this season
Some people just surprise me.The back Özil and slate Jack.Wtf has Özil done to earn our backing…he clearly doesn’t love the club,he hasn’t adapted to the league….why…everyone called Fellaini and Lamela flops after only one season.Dare say that about Özil…fans call 4 ur head.Jack gives his all 4 the club…does not go missing in matches,even big games(Man city and Chelsea),what does he get….insults and talks of being overrated…disgraceful!