Arsenal’s Gedion Zelalem out for up to nine months after tearing ACL in U-20 World Cup
Midfielder suffers serious knee injury just 34 minutes into USA's tournament opener, a thrilling 3-3 draw with Ecuador
ARSENAL starlet Gedion Zelalem could be out of nine months after tearing knee ligaments in the USA's Under-20 World Cup opener.
The Berlin-born midfielder hoped the tournament in South Korea would be a shop window for admirers in is bid for regular first-team football.
But the ex- loanee, 20, damaged his ACL just 34 minutes into the 3-3 draw with Ecuador.
Such injuries normally need six to nine months' recovery time.
Zelalem had just returned to the Emirates after limited opportunities during half a season on loan at Dutch second division side VVV Venlo.
Now he faces sitting out most of the final year of his Arsenal contract.
He became a US citizen three years ago after playing for Germany at U-15, U-16 and U-17 level.
He has since played for America U-23s as well as U-20s.
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