Gedion Zelalem draws comparison to Xavi and Iniesta

'He dribbles like Iniesta and passes like Xavi' – Expert Eye on Arsenal's latest midfield starlet

Arsenal starlet Gedion Zelalem is set to play a part in their pre-season clash with New York Red Bulls after travelling with the squad to America.
It could potentially be a huge season for the highly-rated 17-year-old – who has been compared to Cesc Fabregas – should he be able to break into a Gunners side full of talented midfielders.
But what have the great and the good had to say about him?

He dribbles like Iniesta and he passes like Xavi. I've thought like that for the past few years but I've been wary about saying it. I don't worry now.
People have talked about his weight of pass but what you haven't seen yet is his dribbling ability. He can sail past guys at pace. He can do stuff that is just mesmeric.

Matt Pilkington who coached Zelalem at former club Olney Rangers

He is a player with a good eye and good technique and is very agile. He has the ambition to find the ball on the field.
He is potentially an international player, for sure. But the next two or three years he will have to show he has the mental qualities to fill that potential. That's what's at stake for him now. If he grows physically, since he's slim, and continues to develop his mentality, the potential is there for him to be a top professional player.
Right now, I don’t think he's ready [for first-team football]. I don't think he's ready in the next six months. Next season, I hope to say yes but, if things go quicker than expected, maybe from January onwards.
He's with us and he practices with us a lot and we have high expectations for him.

Arsenal's manager Wenger

He sees passes that not a lot of players can and he's so comfortable on the ball. Even in training, he's a nightmare to play against. He keeps the ball away from you and shields it. He's not very big but he's strong. He drifts in and out of players.
Technically, he's right up there. He can use his left and right and he sees so many passes.

Arsenal and England Midfielder Jack Wilshere

I have heard he’s a big talent and I can’t wait to see him more.
I’m sure he’s at the right club with the right manager and when the right time comes I’m sure he will put him in and then maybe I will be able to answer if he’s the new Cesc Fabregas or not!

Former Gunners midfielder Cesc Fabregas

There’s no doubt he’s a great talent. He’s a very good footballer. He’s still a young lad and he’s going to have to wait for his chance at a club like Arsenal – but with our boss he’ll definitely get it.
When he trains with us we can see what a talent he is. He’s a good kid as well, he’s a good lad and he approaches the game in the right way. In my eyes, there’s no doubt that he’s going to have a very good career.

Team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

So many of the young players impress me but if I had to choose one it would be Gedion. He is very gifted on the ball, he is a midfielder that it is difficult to get the ball off, he has great balance and good feet and has great vision.

Arsenal full-back Carl Jenkinson

[Zelalem is] quality and good on the ball with great vision. Everybody's talking about him. It's not an easy place to break into the first squad, Arsenal, but he has the quality and the right boss to make sure that he can do it. Hopefully for us – as an Arsenal fan – he can perform and be a great player for us.

Club legend Thierry Henry

Posted in: Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, Gedion Zelalem, Iniesta, Xavi