On 4th July, we take a look back at all the Americans who have signed for Arsenal over the years…all four of them!
Gedion Zelalem
- Joined Arsenal in 2013
- Has made four senior appearances for the Gunners
- Hasn’t yet made his senior debut for the USA
The only American currently on the books for Arsenal, Gedion Zelalem is a promising young central midfielder with an eye for a pass. He first appeared on the radar of most Gunners fans in the summer of 2013, when he unexpectedly made Arsenal’s squad for their Asia tour.
After impressing on that tour against the Indonesia Dream Team, the Vietnam national team and Japanese side, Nagoya Grampus, he carried this good form into the Emirates Cup, but unfortunately picked up an injury after the season got underway.
However, he then signed professional terms with the Gunners in January 2014, and made his debut from the bench in a 4-0 win against Coventry. In the following three seasons he’s made three more appearances for the senior side before being sent on two loans, to Rangers and VVV-Venlo.
Still only 20, Zelalem would have been be hoping to get more chances for the senior side, or a more high-profile loan, next season, however he is currently sidelined for between six and nine months with a ruptured ACL.
Doug Farquhar
- Joined Arsenal in 1944
- Stayed for six-and-a-half years
- Passed away in 2005, aged 83
Doug Farquhar was born in Methil in Scotland and played professionally on both sides of the Atlantic.
Signed from St Andrews United when he was 22, the wing-half was the first American to sign for Arsenal.
Arriving during the war, Farquhar never managed to play a game for Arsenal. He was used exclusively as a reserve team player but still managed to win a medal during his time at the club. During the 1946-47 season he won the Football Combination medal with the reserves, a tournament designed specifically for reserve teams which ran from 1915 until 2012.
There is precious little information available about Farquhar, perhaps not unsurprisingly given he never featured for the senior team, but he was the first American signed by the club and deserves special note, especially on the 4th of July.
A move from Arsenal to Reading on a free transfer was followed two years later by another to Bedford Town. Farquhar made 92 appearances for The Eagles before moving to New York to play for the New York Hakoah.
He represented the United States just once, in 1959, when he was 38. The USA lost 8-1 to an England side that featured Don Howe who would move to Arsenal five years later.
Of the eight appearances between four Arsenal Americans, there have been seven wins and only one loss.
Hopefully this strong record continues in the future!