For so long Serge Gnabry had been deprived of regular playing time but now, having been given the platform on which to express his undoubted talent, the winger has been hugely impressive for Germany at the Olympics.
After enjoying an upward ascent in the early stages of his Arsenal career, the past couple of years must have been extremely difficult to endure for Gnabry as he first struggled with injuries before a loan spell at West Bromwich Albion turned out to be more of a hindrance than a help with regards to his development.
The youngster demonstrated some encouraging signs in Arsenal’s pre-season friendly draw with Lens and it was rather a shame that his involvement with the senior squad this summer amounted to just that one game.
However, his time with Germany has done him the world of good, with Gnabry finally showcasing what he is capable of when given the opportunity. The winger is currently the competition’s leading goalscorer having found the net five times and, although the standard of opposition is questionable (Germany thrashed Fiji 10-0 last night), Gnabry is still enjoying a better tournament than Neymar for example.
Winning a gold medal wouldn’t just cap off a great tournament for Gnabry, it would also be a rather symbolic moment in that it would represent how he has bounced back from adversity to thrive again.
Regardless of his impressive displays at the Olympics, however, there are still rather more questions than answers about Gnabry’s Arsenal career, with the likes of Alex Iwobi and Joel Campbell having seemingly overtaken him in the pecking order at the club.
Indeed, it is difficult to see how Gnabry would command much game time if he remained at Arsenal this season, so another loan spell appears to be on the cards. This time, however, the club simply cannot afford to get his destination so woefully wrong again.
Gnabry’s spell at West Brom was hugely frustrating, with the prospect barely featuring despite his vast potential. It is clear that if he does go on loan then the former Stuttgart player needs to go to a side that plays fluent football, with Southampton or Swansea City ideal candidates should the opportunity arise.
For now, though, Gnabry is simply enjoying being back in the limelight again.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
It seems like he’s back and putting the work in again that he’ll need to stand a chance, which is good to see. He’s done a great job at the Olympics and must have turned the boss’ head.
I don’t think any of us expect him to be better than Neymar, but it’s easy to forget how high his ceiling might be since he’s been out of the public eye for a while. It’s going to require a lot, but he can still make it.
Wenger should have sold Walcott and kept Campbell and Gnabry
Maybe a loan to Germany could be the best alternative? For example De Bruyne developed hugely in the bundesliga. He should get more game time than in the PL and would get to be in his home country (easier destination probably tha France or Spain for him)
Would like to see him given a fair crack of the whip this season. The problem is that he’s essentially vying for his spot with Ox and Iwobi. We can’t have too many inexperienced players covering the same position. One of them needs a loan to get the required playing time and given the boss’s faith in Ox and Iwobi’s breakthrough last season it looks like it might have to be Gnabry again. I’m not sure he’d want to stick around if that’s the case though. Who knows, maybe we don’t need an experienced player ahead of them (ie Mahrez)… Read more »
Would the boss make a U-turn and loan The Jeff and keep The Gnab ?
he’s making a late serge
Sell! He should be worth at least £30 million by now.
Yeah, cos we could really do with the money… Definitely far too early to consider selling him. Still time to see his potential realised!
I think he said that in jest referencing the silly prices people are paying and asking for.
Thanks, Bill!
Looking solid. We need to extend his contract. I think it expires next summer.
He has less than a year on his contract remaining. What would be the point of loaning him other than to put him in the shop window? I love Gnabry but surely this signifies his Arsenal career is over? Why would he sign a new contract with us?
http://thekoptimes.com/2016/08/11/strongest-possible-arsenal-and-liverpool-combined-line-up-for-the-opening-premier-league-fixture-6-gooners-5-reds/
this bloke thinks clyne is better than bellerin. hahaha I would bet my right arm there is no better right back in the league right now let alone clyne. # delusion.
If it’s an even bet, then you’ll end up with 2 right arms.
*left with two rights
Test comment
He might do a Bellerin and force his way into the first team.
It’s not as if anybody else has the wing positions nailed down yet, except Alexis of course of he is playing there.
*if* he is playing there
Hahaha you people you have gone off topic
Loan to Everton?
Done more for Germany than Reus tbf
Sell Walcott and keep Gnabry.
Only one condition. Before sealing the loan deal, whether it is for a club in Germany or one in Mauritius, we need to first send someone there to make sure Tony Pulis is not involved in any way whatsoever! He should not be spotted anywhere near the stadium, neither him nor anyone from his family or friends should be supporters of that club, and he sure as hell better not work there!
No. Not an answer for the first team in any way. As you say, maybe a.Southampton loan might work out, but not the guy to solve the RW problem for a team supposedly hunting for the title
For those who aren’t aware of his talent…
When Ozil asked which 4 players in the whole world would he pick for his 5-a-side team, one of them was Gnabry.
You think about that for a second. That’s how much Ozil rated the kid. His talent has been forgotten in the last 2 years.
Loan Jeff, sell Walcott and let Iwobi and Gnabry challenge for wing cover.
With Walcott on 140k a week and a contract that stretches till 2019 we are likely stuck with him for a few more years yet. The kind of clubs who pay that kind of wages would never spend it on Walcott and pretty much all of them allready got alot better options on less money even than Walcott. And the clubs that might actually see Walcott as a upgrade on what they got would never be willing to pay that kind of wages. And replacing Walcott now after putting so much faith in him and making him one of the… Read more »
We should loan him out to Charlton. And he will do a Le Coq this season when we recall him back in mid-season
I like the look the look of him on the left. I think He’d be a good back up for Alexis.
Realmadrid-
Bale Benzema C.Ronaldo (BBC)
Barcelona-
Messi Suarez Neymar (MSN)
Man U
Rooney Ibrahimovic Pogba (RIP)
Arsenal-
Giroud Ozil Alexchamberlain Theo walcott Sanchez (GOATS)..
?????
This is the funniest joke have read all week and it’s about my team..
That’s obviously silly season empty reading