Gedion Zelalem. The name might sound familiar to you. If you haven’t heard of the name, you will do in the future. Who is he? The 17-year-old German born creative midfielder has climbed his way up the Arsenal youth system and broken his way into the Arsenal first team. And only last year, in the Gunners' FA Cup winning campaign, Zelalem made his first team debut at only 16-years-old.

The Berlin born player clearly has a bright future ahead of him, however, there is one unanswered question that has to be answered. What nation will Zelalem represent? Despite being born in Germany and representing the 2014 World Cup winners at Under-15, 16 and 17 levels, the Arsenal player could also eligible to play for the USA. This is because Zelalem moved to the United States in 2006, where he spent his youth career at MSC United, Bethesda Soccer Club and Olney Rangers before he was scouted by Arsene Wenger and brought over to North London in January 2013. What is more is that it was reported that Zelalem's father, Zelalem Wolydes, held US permanent residency and intended to apply for US citizenship. If Wolydes gains US citizenship before his son turns 18 in January 2015, then under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, Gedion would also acquire US citizenship and become eligible to represent the USA internationally.

On paper it would seem that opting for Germany would be the best option for Zelalem, with Germany being the current World Cup holders, having a wealth of world-class players at their disposable and the best youth system in world football. This is where the problem comes into play. Could Zelalem develop into a world-class player by the time he is 21 just before the 2018 World Cup in Russia? Not many would agree. Another disadvantage of Zelalem choosing Germany is that the four time World Cup winners already have a wide vast of incredible youth midfielders that have a great chance of making the German national side in 2018 over Zelalem; such as Schalke trio Julian Draxler, Max Meyer and Leon Goretzka, Borussia Dortmund winger Jonas Hofmann and Hoffenheim attacker Kevin Volland.

However, if Gedion was granted US citizenship, many believe that he should jump at the opportunity to play for the USA. This is because the US national side is a growing project, with their performance in the 2014 World Cup gripping the entire nation and surprising the world with how brilliant they were. Another reason is that European clubs are starting to produce American players with the potential to be some of the best in the modern game, most notably highly rated 19-year-old Bayern Munich winger Julian Green, who has been playing regularly in the Bundesliga on loan with Hamburg. Green and Zelalem would become the centrepiece of a bright future for the US men’s national team.

Another reason why Zelalem should choose the US over Germany is because of the manager, Jurgen Klinsmann. The US manager and former Germany World Cup winner would be the perfect mentor for Zelalem and the former Germany international could adapt Zelalem into a more attack minded midfielder rather than a creative midfielder.

If Zelalem did opt for the US over Germany, he will break into the first team within a year or two. The US national team have an aging midfield with the likes of Brad Davis, Jermaine Jones and Kyle Beckerman all being starting players for the US and all are over the age of 30. Zelalem would add a lot more pace and flair to midfield and with Klinsmann’s knowledge and wisdom, the USA could see an exciting, fast and new era of football over the horizon.