Serge Gnabry says he’s hoping to get a few games under his belt so he can consolidate his first team credentials following six-months out with a knee problem.
The German youth international, who hasn’t featured since the 1-1 draw with Manchester City in March, reveals he’s worked hard to stay motivated throughout his lengthy rehabilitation and is now looking forward to playing again at the Emirates after a couple of games for the under-21s.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s match at Swansea, the fixture that last season saw Gnabry grab his first Premier League goal, the 19-year-old told Arsenal Player:
“I don’t think you can be a player without getting injured at least once in your career so I try stay focus and motivate myself from day to day. I tell myself, ‘if you keep going then you’ll get the result out of it’, so that’s what keeps me motivated. I’m very happy.
“I came here with a target of being a first-team player and I’ve achieved that so far. Now I’ve had a good season but I’ve been injured since the end of it. From now on I’m looking forward to giving my best this season and trying to get a few games under my belt to establish myself.
“I’m just coming back from my knee problem so I hope I’m in better shape than I was before. In training I try to improve, give my best and show that I’m ready to be involved again.”
Unable to run or kick a ball for much of his spell out Gnabry stressed that he didn’t just sit around in his pants but rather spent the time getting to know his body and improving his tactical awareness.*
“I’ve been out for a long time now, which isn’t easy to see players out there enjoying football and you aren’t running.
“You have to take it as a learning curve and try and get into the best shape after you come back. I’ve learned a lot about my body, what exercises are good for me, what exercises are bad for me.
“When you watch games you see more than you do when you’re on the pitch so I’ve learned a lot from that. I try to stay positive most of the time – it’s part of our job. It’s not the best part but it’s there.”
Last year Gnabry took advantage of injuries to Theo, Poldi and the Ox to make his breakthrough when the boss looked to rotate up front. This year he not only has to squeeze past that trio (currently all fit) but also the likes of Cazorla, Alexis, Rosicky and Campbell who also challenge for a place on the wings; a tall order, especially without an opportunity to make a mark in the Capital One Cup.
Perhaps the boss will look to loan him out in the second half of the season.
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*Possibly code for eating loads of Dominos and playing FIFA all night.
You have a future here boy. You may even be the replacement for Poldi next season…keep the faith and don’t angle to go if German clubs come knocking. You will have your fill of first team football here.
I have a feeling he will already be a replacement for Poldi once he is fully fit
Can’t wait for GNABRY to get back into the team… the OX has been average this season a season when he should seriously be kicking on how long has the OX been at arsenal ?? He’s never had a good standout season.. Jack had a standout season his first season… Ramsey last season.. even Theo had his… it’s time the OX steps up!! He’s been really lazy and that’s because Podolski is not offering him any competition and Wenger won’t play Campbell…. when GNABRY get back he’ll have proper competition especially as Walcott is also back… my frontline would be… Read more »
He has two great feet, he’s quick, good at dribbling, can get past a man or three, can shoot and can pick a pass. If his head is right then he could go a long way with that repertoire. I’m excited to see what he can do.
But can he play center-half?
I think in all likeliness Podolski will leave at the end of the season for more game time and it seems Arsene doesn’t like Campbell much and with one year left on his contract as well I think he’ll be off too. With Oxlade and Sanogo having to be registered as part of the 25 man squad as they are over 21 for next season I think Gnabry will get his chance. Our 3 spaces behind the striker we’ll have Alexis, Theo, Ox, Santi, Ozil and Gnabry which is pretty good and better strength in depth in that position than… Read more »
Looks like a very good player. Quite similar to the ox though. Arsenal needs players who score goals regularly. Hope he is of that type. There are too many midfielders with small goal returns at Arsenal.
Unfortunately he’s not a defensive midfielder.
Time to put aside this notion types of Cazorla, Ozil and Ramsey can play on the wing and play with natural wide players. The only one we got in my opinion is Theo and he dont like it there. Gnabry is very similar to Ox in terms he likes to move inside. We got so many similar players its unreal. What we needed for a long time is a natural left sided winger. Gnabry is another who’s best ability is central but at 19 he can learn and improve on covering the right back. Too many square pegs in round… Read more »
He’s come back a bit on the heavy side. May need to shed a few pounds before.
OTOH he is a clear physical presence.
Also if he kicks on, he would provide an alternative to Walcott (along with Ox) should Theo decide not to pen another chapter with us (which after last night, he may be well tempted to pass)
Also in the reckoning should be Campbell. With Podolski another possible departure, we will need these younger players to step up to the plate quickly. Otherwise, we may have to find solutions from market next summer.
Have you seen Gnabry play? He is not a natural wide player and prefers to drift centrally. Exactly the same as Ox. When are we going to find natural wide players to provide width in our team? Basically we need new manager to implement a structure to this imbalance. Priority for me would be a left winger in january. We are going to have to release some players that are too identical.
Lunjberg and Pires weren’t natural wide players either. Or Rosicky in the 2008 team. We don’t necessarily need Reyes or Kanchelskis types.
I would have loved to hear this after another clean sheet and a 3-0 win. Alas it still seems like a distant dream
what the hell is “getting to know his body” code for??
Bow chika wow wow… Heh
He offers something different from the rest taking on other players on the wing.
He has a bright future ahead of him as long as he takes advantage of his opportunities.
Wouldn’t hector bellarin make a good winger with the speed I don’t know about his shooting but he is the fastest in the camp atm and he’s a defensive player so can tackle and got strength there and if u think that how bale started life and look were he is now I know he used to be a spud and I Don’t like him but I can’t fault his quality
This isn’t about Gnabry but Kroenke’s attempt to move the St. Louis Rams to LA. Some interesting commentary on his ownership style. I thought Arselog readers would be interested but didn’t know where to post it …
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/05/sports/football/wary-of-losing-rams-st-louis-is-set-to-huddle-on-stadium.html
The Rams SHOULD be in LA and never should have been allowed to leave in the first place, much less take the name and logo to another city.
Owner died and his wife inherited the team and eventually moved them there in the 90’s.
Walcotts successor.
With gnabry ox and gibbs all on the pitch together referees are gona have a tough time deciding who gets a booking.
And that’s before Theo Hamilton joins in……
I’m still interested to know exactly what his injury was. I’m assuming it was the same as Theo’s due to lay off time but no one inside the club never came out and said what it was. Just adds to the distrust of the medical team. Or maybe I’m just sad little man who should get on with his life ( there, I commented on my post……… Numpty!)