Arsenal youngster Gedion Zelalem was once the subject of a tug of war between Germany and the United States of America, with the starlet having represented the former at youth level despite growing up in the latter. Zelalem was born in Berlin, but emigrated to the United States in 2006.

He was recently granted his U.S citizenship by way of his father, and has stopped short of officially announcing pledging his allegiance to the United States, but it is widely believed it is only a matter of time. Assuming he is granted permission to do so that is.

Zelalem is the victim of a little know FIFA stipulation that requires him to live in the U.S for five years from his 18th birthday (which was on the 26th by the way). Because Zelalem is a naturalized American citizen, as opposed to becoming one through lineage or birthright, he is required to live in the country for five years before he can represent the red white and blue.

It is a bit strange he finds himself in this situation given the fact that he grew up in Maryland (east coast of United States located on the outskirts of Washington, D.C) from 2006 to 2013 and attended High School in the country.

He of course now lives in London and is not moving back any time soon, but should be eligible to receive exception from FIFA given the fact that he can prove his citizenship and lived in the U.S long before Arsenal scouted him.

Now that we have that cleared up, could he become one a star for USA in the 2018 Russia World Cup? He has quite the chance I must say. Klinsmann favours European based players, so Zelalem will definitely at the very least get an opportunity. With the likes of Clint Dempsey and Jermaine Jones aging (31 and 33 respectively), Zelalem could provide a younger and long term solution even if on the bench to start off.

Micheal Bradley is 27 and is a certain starter, but I would be inclined to say behind those three Zelalem has as good a chance as anyone. The likes of Mix Diskerud and Maurice Edu are in and out of the team with USA still struggling to fill the void left by Landon Donavon. A solid year or two more for Zelalem to develop, and he could find himself right in the thick of things.

Gooners will be cheering for Gedion, and we wish all the best in his international endeavors.

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