We take a look at the six teenage Arsenal stars named on the bench for this week’s Champions League tie in Istanbul.
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger took the unusual step of naming his Arsenal team for the Champions League trip to Istanbul to face Galatasaray this week more than 24 hours before kick off – possibly due to the fact that, save for an outside chance of topping the group, the match means little to the Gunners.
Wenger has turned to some fringe players such as Joel Campbell and Yaya Sanogo in his starting XI, but the biggest story is perhaps on the bench, where only reserve goalkeeper Damian Martinez isn’t a teenager without a single start for the club.
Even Gunners fans will not be au fait with the six youngsters who may get their chance in Istanbul – so we’ve taken a look at them for you:
Gedion Zelalem
One of the most exciting young stars in the Arsenal system currently is winger Gedion Zelalem, with the 17 year-old German youth international already having been in and around the first team squad for League Cup ties. Zelalem initially played in the academy of Hertha Berlin, before moving to the United States – where he was spotted playing for Olney Rangers by Arsenal scouts. Extremely quick and with a deft touch, Zelalem may well get his chance to impress if things are going well for the Gunners.