It is now over two years since Serge Gnabry last represented the Arsenal first-team, and, given the stellar impression that the winger made during the 2013/14 campaign, few observers would have envisaged his subsequent plight.
Gnabry has been beset by injuries and fitness issues, whilst a loan spell at West Bromwich Albion this season was disastrous and yielded very little with regards to playing time. Once his nightmare stint at The Hawthorns was brought to an end, Arsene Wenger declared that he intended to send the starlet out on loan again. That, however, hasn’t yet transpired, as, in mid-March, Gnabry remains with Arsenal.
The 20-year-old has been training with the first-team squad, whilst this week he made his first appearance for the Gunners this season when featuring in a U21 defeat to Aston Villa. Despite the result, the signs were very encouraging from Gnabry, who wasn’t afraid to take players on and demonstrated that his wide array of trickery is still intact.
What happens from here? That should be made very clear within the next week. The loan transfer window closes on Thursday, and there will surely be several clubs interested in signing Gnabry on a temporary basis.
Whether Arsenal will sanction a move, however, remains to be seen, with the youngster still building his fitness back up having not played regularly for some time.
If he doesn’t go on loan then it seems unlikely that Gnabry will be considered for first-team action this season, other than perhaps in a dead rubber towards the end of the campaign should such a scenario occur.
Whatever transpires, it seems certain that next season Gnabry will have to get his career back on track. At present Arsenal could perhaps do with another wide player to add an injection of quality to the squad, but it isn’t as if they’re short of options in that department, with Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Joel Campbell and now seemingly Alex Iwobi all ahead of Gnabry in the pecking order.
Gnabry still has time on his side to rectify what has been a rather difficult situation. At one stage it appeared a near certainty that he would go on to establish himself in the Arsenal first-team, but now, through no fault of his own, the German youth international has much work to do to re-establish himself.
Whether it is this season or next, Gnabry will almost certainly be heading out on loan again in the not too distant future, and the hope will be that this time around he will be able to receive regular playing time and move a step closer towards getting back into the first-team picture at Arsenal.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
I’m hopeful. Ox still has much to prove. Welbeck is effectively our first choice striker (for now). I imagine Iwobi will be used more centrally (CM or AM) Sanchez, I guess is first choice LW (though I’d prefer we give him another try as a CF) And Theo is?……well, Theo. Campbell for whatever reason isn’t a Wenger favoutire. Dude could score a hattrick next game, and he’ll still get subbed on the 60th minute for Theo. Granted we may purchase another winger next season, along with other loanees possibly having a chance (Silva?) But in all honesty, it would be… Read more »
Bloody hell. I genuinely had forgotten about him.
Never really understood the point in the mass loaning of all these players. Surely keeping a player at Arsenal, where we have state of the art facilities, coaches and players like Mesut and Petr to learn from is better than sending a player to be coached by neanderthals like Pulis. I can understand loan deals like Courtois to Atletico, because he was stuck behind the best goalkeeper in the world (thanks Roman) but was good enough to play at the very top level, but the majority of loans seem to be pointless and serve only to ruin a youngster’s confidence… Read more »
Which is why Iwobi is with u maybe? Gnabry has regressed since returning from injury or maybe some of the other younger players have been showing hunger and improved like Akpom, Iwobi, Jeff for example. Campbell should if anything be a role model for what could be possible. Most on these forums considered him “Not good enough” like they did Coquelin and Bellerin. Arsenal is frankly a development team and if you do not like that sort of stuff, it will frustrate to no end. Wenger needs to get the balance right between development opportunity (which may cost us in… Read more »
Has theo ever really used his pace to his advantage? Imo his strengthcwas his movement off the ball and finishing. Against barca again on wedneday, he was in a one on one with mascherano down the left….he knows he has the running against most, and once again lacks the confidenfe to go past them and instead passes inside. So frustating. Ive been his biggest fan but i now admit its time for him and a couple more to go. They just make it hardwork forthemselves.
Is the G silent?
like how Arsenals title charge has gone you mean?
As a German speaker, it is not silent, it’s quite a hard aggressive G
This is the cut-throat world of professional sport I’m afraid. I wish Serge the best, but the truth is he isn’t anywhere nesr the first team at the moment. We’ve suffered a lot of disappointment this year, but we can’t really expect a player like Gnabry, who let’s face it wasn’t even fit enough to play for West Brom to turn our season around on the right hand side. What’s needed is a well thought out plan to reinforce in areas that that need reinforcement. If internal solutions emerge later that’s fine, but in all honesty he hasn’t managed to… Read more »
And with regard loans, both Coquelin and Campbell benefited tremendously from loans.
It is a chance to have the player play more competitive games consistently at minimum risk to our first team so they can iron out their little idiosyncracies and toughen up a little.
A loan is a very good option indeed. School of hard knocks.
Iwobi on left flank, Serge on the right, future sorted.
Come on Serge make it happen!
19, living away from home. Can’t imagine Mesut or Per really looking after him. A manager who doesn’t really talk to the players.
I think people always forget, these are just kids that people treat like objects. Januzaj at United is another example, lad hits the big time suddenly we’re reading about him eating Nandos.
We don’t want another Michael Jackson people!
What you on about?
I left home at 18 and Per didn’t look after me either.
hahahahahaha
Obviously, one more loan spell: to Charlton, and he’ll come back as the next savior or Arsenal.
I do think there’s something to be said for loaning to a lower league side. They’re scrappy down there. They have to grow a spine. We need more spine.
His performance vs Sp*rs two years ago means he’s already guaranteed a place in my heart for many years. Absolutely tore them a new one and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
players at his age of development are always tricky they all have different ages where they come to fruition to name a couple Coq & Campbell both turned into decent players who both looked like they were going out the club and Henry even took time to flourish, look at Pogba now didnt make it at Man U and now touted at worth 50 million or more, AW has always tried to bring players on and see’s things in players others dont, it was him alone that got Sanchez & Ozil to come to AFC will a manager in the… Read more »
I would rather throw our youth players in at the deepend as the seniors have no desire at the moment.
Campbell, Iwobi, Gnarby,have shown they are up for it.
Time to tell Walcott and OX, if you do not help save the season pack your bags!
I definitely rate Gnabry above Iwobi. But seems like Wenger currently puts Iwobi above Gnabry in the pecking order.
Anybody remember Arsenal vs Spurs in the FA Cup two years ago? Gnabry is absolute class.