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Arsenal v Coventry: Gedion Zelalem finally ready to make Gunners history by being the first player to make his debut having been born after Arsene Wenger became manager

Midfielder was born four months after Wenger became Arsenal manager in September 1996

Friday 24 January 2014 16:37 GMT

Gedion Zelalem (left) in action for Arsenal Under 21s in their 4-2 defeat by Liverpool Under 21s this week (GETTY IMAGES)

Gedion Zelalem could make Arsenal history in the FA Cup tie against Coventry on Friday night. If he plays, the 16-year-old, born in Germany on 26 January 1997 of Ethiopian descent, will become the first player to play for the Gunners who was born after Arsene Wenger took the Arsenal job in September 1996.

The midfielder will reportedly sign his first professional contract with the club on his 17th birthday on Sunday, and has been an unused substitute for the club in two Premier League matches.

Zelalem was spotted by Arsenal scout and former Gunner Danny Karbassiyoon playing in the Dallas Cup, and impressed during the club's pre-season tour.

“I don’t listen to any hype or anything like that,” Zelalem had said. “I just listen to my parents and the people around me who love me. They keep me grounded, so it’s fine.

“I have really high expectations for myself, so, hopefully, I might be able to make a few appearances this season.

"But I’m still very young, so I have a lot of work to do. I will keep working hard and stay positive all the time.”

After the club's pre-season tour of Asia, it appeared that Zelalem made quite the impact on his team-mates.

“So many of the young players impress me but if I had to choose one it would be Gedion,” Carl Jenkinson had said. “He is very gifted on the ball, he is a midfielder that it is difficult to get the ball off, he has great balance and good feet and has great vision.”

Jack Wilshere, meanwhile, enthused: “He played a few passes through that I don’t know how he saw them to be honest.”

Gallery: Who is on Arsenal's January hit list?

Arsenal - January transfer targets

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Arsenal - January transfer targets

Julian Draxler - Another player who Arsenal don't have a desperate need for but have constantly been linked with. There is certainly no denying the quality of the German youngster but a January move seems unlikely as Arsenal need to strengthen elsewhere.

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Arsenal - January transfer targets

Karim Benzema - Wenger is a long time admirer of Real Madrid's French striker, although he would not be a cheap option. He is also a player it seems unlikely that the Spanish giants would happily part with. Then again you might have thought the same thing about Mesut Ozil.

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Arsenal - January transfer targets

Andrea Ranocchia - Out of favour at the San Siro, Arsenal would probably face stiff competition from Man United and Chelsea if they moved for the highly-rated Italian defender.

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Arsenal - January transfer targets

Konstantinos Mitroglou - The Olympiakos forward is in red hot form and could well provide reasonably priced support for Olivier Giroud. Currently playing alongside Arsenal loanee Joel Campbell which could count in Wenger's favour.

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Arsenal - January transfer targets

Hakan Calhanoglu - Arsenal couldn't buy another attacking midfielder could they? Well rumour has it they are very keen on Hamburg's Turkish star Calhanoglu.

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Arsenal - January transfer targets

Winston Reid - While a West Ham defender from New Zealand might sound an unlikely target for Arsenal, their defence is a serious injury away from looking a little threadbare and Reid could provide value-for-money cover at the back.

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Arsenal - January transfer targets

Xabi Alonso - While the free transfer of Mathieu Flamini has helped, Arsenal still look a little lightweight in the centre of the park. The cultured Alonso would certainly improve things.

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Arsenal - January transfer targets

Ilkay Gundogan - Another luxury purchase for the Gunners and with interest from other Premier League clubs and Arsenal's more pressing needs in other areas of the pitch, it seems an unlikely move.

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Arsenal - January transfer targets

Antonio Sanabria - Arsenal are rumoured to already have a deal in place bringing the Paraguayan starlet to the club from Barcelona. If so then they have secured themselves a fantastic player.

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Arsenal - January transfer targets

Javier Hernandez - With Hernandez seemingly growing increasingly frustrated with a lack of first team opportunities at Man United, Arsenal could pounce for the proven Premier League goalscorer. It does however seem unlikely that Moyes would sell to a rival.

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Arsenal - January transfer targets

Kurt Zouma - Wanted by London rivals Chelsea as well, Zouma is a highly-rated young defender who could provide some much needed cover. Can Wenger get the better of Mourinho in the transfer market this time?

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Arsenal - January transfer targets

Youssouf Mulumbu - An experienced Premier League player who would add a bit of oomph to Arsenal's midfield. The surprising recent sacking of West Brom manager Steve Clarke might also encourage Mulumbu.

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Arsenal - January transfer targets

Cheikhou Kouyate - Wenger has tried to sign the imposing defender in two separate transfer windows but with Anderlecht now ready to sell, this January could be a case of third time lucky.

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Arsenal - January transfer targets

Ciprian Marica - Another forward linked with a switch to the Emirates, the Romanian could provide a cheaper alternative to some of the bigger names Arsenal are rumoured to be pursuing.

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Arsenal - January transfer targets

Alvaro Morata - The young Real Madrid forward has been linked with a January loan move although he has stated a desire to stay in the Spanish capital.

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Arsenal - January transfer targets

Alexandre Pato - Linked with Arsenal once again, the Brazilian would be a surprise choice given his relatively modest recent performances since returning to play in his homeland.

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Arsenal - January transfer targets

Edin Dzeko - Despite scoring fairly consistently in his time at the club, there is a feeling that Dzeko somehow doesn't quite fit and he struggles to hold down a first team place as a consequence. A move to Arsenal would surely give him more playing time but it seems unlikely City would sell to a rival.

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Arsenal - January transfer targets

Dimitar Berbatov - The former Manchester United striker is reportedly keen to move on from Fulham. Appears a decent short term solution for the Gunners

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