Gedion Zelalem has returned to full training with Arsenal’s u23s after a lengthy layoff with injury.

Back in May, the American admitted that he had suffered a set-back in January as he looked to recover from a cruciate knee ligament injury.

The 21-year-old spent last season as one of the vanished – players who pick up injuries at Arsenal and then disappear without update until they are fit again.

Zelalelm has been out of action since he ruptured his cruciate towards the end of the previous season when he was at the FIFA u20 World Cup with the States.

January’s setback meant he was targeting a return for next season according to a post on Instagram last month.

Zelalem is under contract until 2019 so it’s no understatement to say that next season will be crucial for his future as an Arsenal player.

Earmarked for great things, Zelalem was spoken about in the same breath as a young Cesc Fabregas. A loan with Rangers for a season, which saw him make 28 appearances for the Scottish side was followed by a loan with VVV Venlo that produced just eight.

So far, Gedion has just four senior appearances for Arsenal with a career total of 96 appearances, three goals and 14 assists across all levels, including at u18 and 23 levels.