Arsenal have agreed a new deal with highly-rated youngster Gedion Zelalem.

The 17-year-old is regarded as one of the best young talents to emerge at Arsenal in recent years and the club have moved to tie him down to a professional deal.
Zelalem, who made his debut in the FA Cup against Coventry earlier this season, is seen as a star of the future by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

Gedion Zelalem: Rewarded with new deal

The skilful playmaker has been named on the bench for three Premier League games this season and has been a star performer in the Under-21 Premier League and FA Youth Cup this term.
Arsenal were keen to reward the German-born midfielder for his progress with a new deal and he is expected to be fast-tracked into the senior squad over the next year.

DAMIEN MARTINEZ READY TO BE ARSENAL'S NUMBER ONE

The young Argentinian keeper Damien Martinez has been thrust into the limelight due to the ongoing injuries to the Arsenal first-choice keepers Wojciech Szczesny and Lukas Fabianski, and although he is only the reserve to Vito Mannone at the moment, he is fully prepared to play for the full 90 minutes against Norwich if Wenger decides to make a change.
Martinez said: “The English Premier League is the best in the world. I have adapted very well here and it  IS truly amazing,”
“The best thing is the high level of football, pitches here are perfect. It’s unbelievable and I hope to stay in this league for as long as I can.
“At Norwich City on Saturday I think I’m going to be on the bench, but the possibility of playing from the start is always there. I’m prepared for that.
“I have shown that I can play at the top level even at my age. It is the manager’s decision and I have to wait for that moment to come. Despite the fact that I’ve just turned 20, I think I’m progressing well and I’m taking solid steps forward. I hope to keep playing here.”
The youngster arrived from Argentina at the tender age of 17 but he believes that Wenger has faith in him, just as he has with the other younger members of the Gunners squad. “Wenger is a great manager, very professional and very demanding,” he said. “but he also gives youngsters a lot of freedom. He treats every player the same. I have a lot of admiration for him as a manager and as a person,” 

Lukas Podolski has revealed Arsene Wenger was a big reason behind his decision to join Arsenal.

The Germany international, who is currently in action at Euro 2012, will complete his move to north London at the conclusion of the tournament after the Gunners recently agreed an £11million fee with FC Koln.

And Podolski is already eager to work under Wenger.

"He has been a very successful coach both in Europe and around the world," the 27-year-old told the official Arsenal Magazine.

"This definitely helped in making my decision. He speaks several languages, and German in particular, which is very helpful.

"We have spoken to each other on the telephone a few times, which was very good and also made my decision even easier."

Podolski also confirmed he spoke with compatriot Per Mertesacker before agreeing to move to Emirates Stadium.

"I speak to Per whenever we meet," he added.

"Per has mentioned things about the club's organisation, the training ground and the fans, and this has really helped.

"It might have influenced me to a certain extent, but in the end of course I took the decision to come here myself."

Of his move to the Premier League, he said: "I do think that the Bundesliga has done a lot of catching up in recent years and is no longer that far away from the highest level.

"But England still has the strongest and most attractive league in my opinion.

"The Premier League has very good stadiums, and the stronger clubs as a whole, and I'm sure I'm going to be involved in some exciting matches.

"I think I will adapt relatively quickly. I'm a player who plays in a similar style. They play fast in England, score lots of goals, there are tough battles.

"I enjoy this style of football, so from that point of view, I think I will become accustomed to it all in a fairly short time."