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Arsenal’s Gedion Zelalem could very well be the next Andrea Pirlo

By Josh Sippie

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Arsenal have a plethora of young talent, all of whom look to hit their prime right around the same time for the Gunners. Of course, that does us little good right now but it gives us something to look forward to.

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Gedion Zelalem is one such prospect, who has the world ahead of him and more talent than he knows what to do with. The criticism of Zelalem had been that he was too small and would not survive in the Premier League given the physical nature of the league, but at just 18 years of age, Gedion Zelalem has plenty of time to bulk up.

In the mean time, the rest of his game is developing ahead of schedule. The young, newly crowned American wonderkid is on loan with Scottish side Rangers and he hit the ground assisting, as in his first match he racked up two assists to help the Rangers topple Airdrieonians 5-0.

Gedion Zelalem had already been showcasing his supreme talent for the United States U21 side but to see it immediately translate to the club level is wonderful. The kid is being compared to Andrea Pirlo, which, while a bit hasty, has caused the young midfielder to perk his ears up a bit. “It’s great being compared to Pirlo. Who doesn’t want to be compared to him? I still have a long way to go to be at the same level as them, but I definitely think I will reach that level,” he said via the Metro.

Referred to as the last luxury in the footballing world, Andrea Pirlo was one of the greatest passers we will ever see. It was all he did and all he wanted to do. He had tremendous technique on the ball and was gifted with it at his feet. Passing was simply all he needed to do, as he did it so well.

Gedion Zelalem has the same base of skills, if not with a bit more pace than Pirlo had. Have a look at a brief Zelalem montage:

As you can see, the dribbling and the touch that he already possesses is not something you see out of your traditional 18 year old wonderkid.

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Another thing that made Pirlo an instant classic was the ice in his veins. He was undaunted on the ball, whether it be over a penalty kick or in the heat of a high-flying battle. He, sort of like Mesut Ozil, would never be seen panicking or rushing. He simply watched and waited.

Patience could be the final masterstroke of Gedion Zelalem’s play package. He has the raw talent and ability and he may even develop some physicality to go along with it. Put patience with that and he will be in that rare echelon of passers that sees things in a completely different light.

Next: Can Arsenal climb out of this hole?

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