3 Arsenal youngsters to watch in the MLS All-Star Game
With several Arsenal regulars missing out on Thursday's MLS All Star game in San Jose, a handful of prodigious fledglings will get the chance to shine in hopes of cracking Arsene Wenger's first team lineup for the 2016-17 Premier League campaign.
Arsenal's once-stellar academy system has experienced a period of decline since the days of Jack Wilshere and Cesc Fabregas, though the current crop boasts the potential of some of England's best.
Related: Arsenal announces preliminary squad for MLS All-Star Game
Once again, Arsenal's future looks bright.
Nigerian forward Alex Iwobi, 20, was a revelation last season, and robust striker Chuba Akpom, 20, played a vital role during Hull City's promotion push while on loan last season.
Here's a look at three Arsenal youngsters who could take the next step to notoriety after Thursday's clash:
Jeff Reine-Adelaide
Equal parts angular and agile, French teenage talent Jeff-Reine Adelaide didn't take long to endear himself to the Gunners faithful.
Making his Arsenal debut during last summer's Emirates Cup as a sub against Lyon before starting versus Wolfsburg, the RC Lens product earned the praise of pundits and supporters alike with a mature 63-minute performance.
Following the match, Arsene Wenger was among those heaping tributes on the youngster. "Reine-Adelaide is something special you know. He is a great talent and when he came on you could see that - 17 years old let's not forget that. In fact I don't remember how I played at 17 but I didn't play like that!"
It's easy to forget that the player affectionately known to Arsenal fans as "Jeff" is still six months away from his 19th birthday, but his performances for the Under-21 side have been rife with composure, not the least of which was this stunning individual effort against Swansea.
Gedion Zelalem
Born in Berlin to Ethiopian parents before emigrating to the United States with his father in 2006, midfield maestro Gedion Zelalem was the object of an international tug of war before the 19-year-old opted for the Red, White, and Blue of Jurgen Klinsmann's USMNT.
Zelalem has since become a cornerstone of what's to come for American football that was boosted by an impressive loan move to Glasgow giant Rangers last season.
Pegged as the next Fabregas, the quick-footed midfielder is as keen to string an incisive pass as he is to dribble around befuddled defenders,
In 2014, Wenger opined, "I honestly think Gedion has the talent to become a great player, but that will be decided in the next two or three years because he has to show that he has the mental level required to be a top-level competitor."
For Zelalem, that time is now, and with all the talent in the world, there's no reason the player can't breakthrough with the first team this season.
Krystian Bielik
Like Grzegorz Krychowiak before him, tough-tackling Krystian Bielik is the heir to the Paris Saint-Germain standout's throne as Poland's best defensive midfielder.
Bielik, 18, joined the north London side in 2015 from Legia Warsaw and immediately drew comparisons to club legend Patrick Vieira before making his debut in Oct. 2015 during the League Cup's fourth round defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.
As raw as he is rife with moments of utter brilliance, Bielik finished his campaign with the Under-21 side as one if its best players, guiding Arsenal to promotion.
His skills were on display last week against Lens, in a performance Wenger admired, saying, "Krystian Bielik came on and did very well for example."
With the departures of midfield trio Tomas Rosicky, Mikel Arteta, and Mathieu Flamini, there's a chance Bielik could see some first team action this season behind the likes of Granit Xhaka, Francis Coquelin, and Mohamed Elneny.
Keep an eye out for: DF Rob Holding, MF Chris Willock, FW Chuba Akpom, FW Alex Iwobi