Zelalem to stay at Arsenal in January transfer window to continue rehab

The highly-rated youngster is recovering from a serious knee injury and won't be heading out on loan

Gedion Zelalem will continue his rehabilitation from injury this month as the youngster aims to work his way back into contention at , Goal understands.

The 20-year-old midfielder suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear just minutes into the United States' match against at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup last May.

Zelalem spent nine months on the sidelines but posted a video on Instagram last month showing that he has returned to running following the serious knee injury.

Tell your friends ⏳ A post shared by Gedion Zelalem (@gedi34) on Dec 4, 2017 at 10:06am PST

His contract expires in the summer of 2019 and Goal can confirm that Zelalem will continue his return to full fitness at the club’s London Colney training ground this month instead of going out on loan.

"I think he’s a player who has quality, top quality,” said Gunners boss Arsene Wenger in 2016.

"He might be a bit longer to mature because he is a little bit behind on the body structure. But I’m sure he will be a great player who matures maybe a bit slowly physically. But, overall, I’m convinced that he’ll have a great career.”

Zelalem, who has previously spent time on loan at Dutch side VVV Venlo and Scottish side , made four first-team appearances for Arsenal before his injury, although he is yet to make his Premier League debut.