U.S. Prospect Zelalem Set for First-Team Arsenal Contract

• Daily Mail , Monday, January 27, 2014 12:33 PM

On Friday, Maryland youth product Gedion Zelalem made his Arsenal debut during the Gunners' 4-0 win against Coventry City in the FA Cup fourth round, in which he played the final 20 minutes. On Saturday, the Daily Mail reported that Coach Arsene Wenger is set to reward the promising 17-year-old with a first-team contract later Monday, which is also his birthday.

However, as with Bayern Munich youngster Julian Green, U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann faces a struggle to convince Zelalem to turn out for the Stars and Stripes. Though he played in the USA from the ages of 9 to 16, Zelalem was born in Berlin to Ethiopian parents, so he also qualifies for Germany and Ethiopia. Klinsmann is understood to have already been in contact with him about playing for the USA, but Zelalem has already played for Germany’s U-15, U-16 and U-17 teams.

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