#4 Gedion Zelalem
Akin to Dortmund, Arsenal, and their manager Arsene Wenger are one of the best at developing and promoting youth to the first team in England. One of the shining lights in the Arsenal academy since a few years is Gedion Zelalem.
Zelalem has been in the public eye since 2013 when he was surprisingly included in Arsenal’s summer tour and performed strongly. Half a year later, he had made his debut for the senior squad. His ascent to professional football saw him have a successful campaign at Rangers last year, guiding them to promotion to the first division and a runner-up spot in the Scottish Cup.
(Video courtesy: Scouting football)
He is highly regarded in the Arsenal camp, and Petr Cech was quoted in an interview praising the youngster. He said, “Obviously as he gets more experience, it will help him to make the right choices and I believe he has a very big potential to make the team."
While not all talented academy youngsters break into Arsenal’s first team, Zelalem can take inspiration from Alex Iwobi and Francis Coquelin who have grasped their opportunities and are now important team members.
