Serge Gnabry says spending six months on the sidelines has been hard to swallow but admits he’s learnt a lot about his body during his lengthy rehabilitation.
The 19-year-old German has been out since March with a recurring knee problem but was pictured in first team training this week as he sets his sight on a competitive return.
Speaking to Arsenal Player about the difficulties he’s face, Gnabry said: “It’s the worst thing that can happen to you as a footballer but I think you have to learn from it.
“It requires great discipline to rest as much as you can and not do stuff that’s going to affect your health, so it’s in your mind to stay focused and keep going.
“I’ve been out for more than six months now, and it isn’t easy seeing players out there enjoying football when you can’t run. You have to use it as a learning curve and try to get into the best shape for when you come back.
“I’ve learnt a lot about my body – what exercises are good for me, what exercises are bad for me. When you watch games you sometimes see more than you do when you’re on the pitch, so I’ve learnt from that as well.”
Gnabry was enjoying a breakthrough season at the Emirates before his knee problem curtailed his involvement; scoring against Swansea City away, dangerous at Selhurst Park and playing a starring role in the Gunners FA Cup third round win against Sp*rs – the same game that saw Theo Walcott suffer his ACL injury.
With Theo making a return for the under-21s this evening, Gnabry’s path to first team football looks more difficult than ever especially with new faces Alexis Sanchez and Joel Campbell deemed wingers and the likes of Tomas Rosicky, Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and (when he returns from injury) Mesut Ozil also considered flank options.
It makes you wonder whether he might be sent out on loan in January, something that was mooted in the summer.
In other news nice man Mikel Arteta has said nice things about Kieran Gibbs, who also seems like a nice man.
Tipping Gibbs to retain his England place after playing in the 5-0 win against San Marino, the club captain told the official matchday programme:
“It was great for Kieran to get back in the national team. He has been unlucky because it’s hard to see any other national team with three or four left backs who are top quality.
“Spain and Germany definitely don’t have that. No other international team has three or four top quality left backs like Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines, Luke Shaw and Gibbo.
“Now he’s got his chance, he has to take it because I think he can be a very good player for the national team. I’m very happy for him.”
Which is nice.
On an unrelated topic, does anyone else think Arteta gets his (ever perfect) hair lowered mechanically onto his skull like Darth Vader does with his helmet?
Guys, just beat Hull tomorrow. Thanks.
Such nice players we’ve got in our club. Can’t wait for them to win the league together. Really hope we can find the right balance in the team as soon as possible cos so far it’s not there yet and its only gonna get harder with Theo and Ramsey comin back soon. I’m a massive Arsene supporter so I know he’ll find it and once we click then we’re gonna be dominatin teams
Better get used to it mate, sadly.
Nice
I bet his FIFA skills have increased a hell of a lot in the last 6 months
Serge will get his chance, kid is only 19. I’m just thrilled to see Theo back. Alexis/Welbeck/Theo front 3, tasty!
Please do not forget the OX he is looking sharper than a razor right now hes bursting to get his chance. im going 442 with theo and welbeck upfront and alexis and the ox on the wings. pace to absolutely burn teams
Against big teams it would be tough for me to pick between Ox and Theo. Theo has that clinical finishing since he’s matured, but Ox just works so hard, almost in the Sanchez mold with his work rate.
Imagine Ox and Ozil behind Alexis/Welbeck/Theo though. It’s both mouthwatering and suicidal at the same time…
I would compare him to Sterling but it’s like comparing apples with some fruit that usually tastes like shit but everyone tells you is the nicest thing ever. Kumquat maybe, never had that but it sounds nasty.
Exciting young talent. He won’t get much playing time this season so he should go out on loan.
Anyone know if/where to watch the U21 match online?
Look forward to seeing those serging runs next season in the cups.
I love Arteta, and Gnabry’s potential excites me.
Entrance free of charge tonight so I guess there will be plenty up the arse! (Coat etc)
Or why he leaves a player he knows is injured and is obviously ineffective in the position hes been asked to play as well, on the pitch for 90mins.
Honestly, if you like ready made success, your better off with a Chelsea or City. However if you are into development with a good chance of success, then Arsenal is the club. The way the club is built, we are self made and must keep one eye on the future. Therefore there must always be a healthy mix of experienced top level players and exciting young prospects. Whether we have this mix entirely right is in part due to timing and in part due to how many players Wenger has coming through the Academy. In recent seasons, we have at… Read more »
Fatgooner knows. In arsene we rust.
Gonna win the Title or Champions League with Gnabry? …..no.
It’s amazing how many cunts have more medals than us.
Wenger out.
Right, we should have done the smart thing and let him develop somewhere else, then move in for him only to see Barcelona/Real Madrid/Chelsea/PSG/City/United snap him up for an obscene price. Gotcha.
It doesn’t look like Campbell will be in his way. He’ll get his chance this season I’m sure, and hopefully he can carry on where he left off and keep improving. Looks to have a lot of talent