Arsenal stint for FC Dallas star

Thursday 10th November 2011 17:02

FC Dallas star Brek Shea is training with Arsenal to get a taste of life at the top level of European football during the MLS off-season.

The 21-year-old USA international is one of the three nominees for the MLS Most Valuable Player award this season following a series of impressive performances.

FC Dallas' domestic campaign is now at an end and the American club were keen for Shea to spend time in Europe during the off-season.

The Gunners have given him the opportunity to train with them and manager Arsene Wenger is looking forward to seeing Shea at close quarters.

The midfielder will take part in sessions with the first team and other promising prospects at the club, while Wenger hopes to give him a run in the reserves.

"It's a training period for him to see what his top level is like," Wenger told Arsenal Player.

"The MLS encourage their players to go out to Europe during their off-season for improvement, practice and to have contact with top-level football.

"That's why Brek Shea is coming here. It is a learning experience for him.

"Brek will train with the first-team when it is possible and practice with the best prospects of the club as well outside of the normal sessions.

"There is not a better place than the Premier League to do that."

Wenger does accept that regulations may not allow Shea to feature for the second string.

"If it is possible I would like to do it," said Wenger.

"We will have to see how it goes because we play many games now and we have to check how it works on the legal side too."