Gedion Zelalem plays for Arsenal in Champions League match

Gedion Zelalem (right) holds off the challenge of Galatasaray's Wesley Sneijder on Tuesday night(Getty Images) — Gedion Zelalem (right) holds off the challenge of Galatasaray’s Wesley Sneijder on Tuesday night(Getty Images)

For anyone other than Arsenal’s supporters, the second half of the Gunners’ Champions League Group D finale at Galatasaray on Tuesday carried little appeal. Arsenal had already clinched a berth in the knockout stage and pumped in three goals during the first half in Istanbul.

There was, however, a touch of drama in the making: Would Arsene Wenger summon Gedion Zelalem, the 17-year-old midfielder with Ethiopian roots, a German birthplace and U.S. upbringing?

Zelalem typically plays for Arsenal’s under-19 squad, but without the usual Champions League urgency against last-place Galatasaray, Wenger carried six teenagers on his bench.

Source: Washington Post