Arsenal’s Gedion Zelalem has started running again after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in May.

The American midfielder suffered the injury while representing the USA at the U20 World Cup earlier this summer. Though he started the first group game, his tournament was cut short by an ACL injury after just 34 minutes.

Zelalem is expected to be out for nine months but has taken his first big step towards recovery by running on a treadmill. He posted a video of himself working out on his Instagram, along with the caption: “First time running since the injury, feeling great.”

Zelalem has gone under the radar recently as he hasn’t progressed as much as people thought he would. He came to attention during Arsenal’s tour of Asia in 2013 where he showed off his exciting passing ability, but has made just three first-team appearances since.

He had a successful loan spell with Rangers in 2015/16, and was on loan at VVV-Venlo last season before injury cut his spell short. There’s never a good time to rupture your ACL, but at such a crucial stage in his Arsenal career a nine-month absence could be very costly.

We all hope Zelalem can recover well and get back to playing football again soon.