5 Arsenal kids looking to impress in the 2016 MLS All-Star Game

There is something completely new for Arsenal supporters to enjoy tomorrow as Arsenal hit the field in San Jose, California to contest the 2016 MLS All-Star Game.

Going up against the best that Major League Soccer has to offer, namely Kaka, Sebastian Giovinco and Didier Drogba amongst others, the game is Arsenal’s third pre-season fixture as the new season draws ever closer.

Having seen a young Gunners team beaten at Borehamwood, the Gunners followed up this result with a 1-1 draw against RC Lens in France last week.

But this will undoubtedly prove the biggest test so far with Major League Soccer currently at its mid-point with players that much more fitter and prepared for this showpiece.

Arsenal will certainly have to be on their mettle to deny the All-Stars who’ve beaten London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham in recent years.

The Gunners have sent a strong squad out to the United States however with several first team stars such as Theo Walcott, Petr Cech and Jack Wilshere present but today we’re looking at FIVE youngsters in the squad who’ll be looking to impress.

Gedion Zelalem

So Arsenal are playing in the States and let’s not forget that the Gunners actually boast a U.S. youth international in their ranks and that man is Gedion Zelalem.

First hitting the headlines when he appeared as a 16-year-old in the 2013 Emirates Cup, Zelalem still awaits his full Premier League debut despite Arsene Wenger trusting in youth far more than his adversaries.

Zelalem has received opportunities at first team level however and spent the entirety of last season in a winning environment at Rangers who clinched promotion back to the Scottish Premier League of course.

This experience at the real level of football would’ve toughened the slight Zelalem up in the blood and thunder of Scottish Championship level football and with extra attention placed upon him tomorrow because he represents the States, we look forward to him receiving minutes.

Rob Holding

Arsenal’s newest recruit of course, how good must it feel to be Rob Holding right now?

Having been able to prevent his hometown club from being relegated to League One in 2015/16, Rob Holding’s career has undergone a meteoric turnaround with the 20-year-old then receiving England Under-21 honours before signing for Arsenal and now heading to the U.S. on tour!

It’s certainly been a whirlwind for Rob Holding who is embarking on a huge step up from Championship football but if he can make an impression early doors like Calum Chambers did when he first arrived, Holding will be fine.

Jeff Reine-Adelaide

Gunners fans have only seen Jeff Reine-Adelaide in a competitive fixture just once so far but most Arsenal supporters know who he is due to a fantastic impression he made in last season’s Emirates Cup.

Looking for the world an Arsenal player with an array of skills and trickery in his locker, the French teenager even skinned now Manchester City man Kevin De Bruyne in the game against Wolfsburg!

But that’s the way Reine-Adelaide plays; with confidence and flair.

The attacking midfielder will hope that he can build upon his single appearance against Sunderland in the FA Cup last season while figuring more in 2016/17.

Doing well in the 2016 MLS All-Star Game will prove a great start.

Chuba Akpom

With strikers thin on the ground at Arsenal right now, one forward who has forged part of Arsenal’s California tour squad is Chuba Akpom.

Spending all of last season on loan at Hull City who gained promotion back to the Premier League of course, the 20-year-old disappointingly only managed to score just three goals in 35 appearances for the Tigers.

A prolific scorer at youth team level, you don’t want to say it’s now or never for Akpom because he’s still so young but he really needs a good pre-season in order to prove to Arsene Wenger that he might not need another loan in the Championship or for a bigger League One side.

Chris Willock

You can tell Arsene Wenger thinks a lot of a young prospect when involving him in the first team squad at the tender age of 16.

But that was the case for Chris Willock who was an unused substitute in the third round of the FA Cup last term when the Gunners overcame Sunderland at Emirates Stadium.

Additionally, Willock got some game time on Arsenal’s tour of the Far East this time last year so expect to see the Londoner receive some minutes once again in California.

Having even been linked with a transfer to Barcelona back in May 2015, this tells you all you need to know about the potential Chris Willock has!