It’s fair to say that Serge Gnabry’s life hasn’t gone too badly since leaving Arsenal in the summer. Now a full international, scoring a hat-trick on his debut against San Marino, Gnabry is the talk of German football.
It’s of course led to much discussion about why Arsenal let him sign for Werder Bremen in the first place, but his contract situation coupled with the player’s will may well have presented a difficult scenario for Arsene Wenger.
Things could have been very different indeed, because Gnabry has explained that his aim for the summer was to succeed at Arsenal, revealing he had huge enthusiasm to make this season the one in which he really broke through under Wenger.
Speaking to German magazine SportBild, the following was put to Gnabry: “Has your life turned upside down since the Olympics? In the summer, you were a German talent at FC Arsenal in London, then you scored six goals in Rio, and half the Bundesliga wanted you.”
Gnabry responded: “I really wanted to attack the summer at Arsenal right and had even considered whether I should be in Rio at all. In the end, however, it was the right decision. This has changed my standing, I have found a new club. I am very excited about the path and take it on fully.”
Maybe 2016 was always going to belong to Gnabry, and he’d have proven that to Wenger had he stayed back from Rio. But then, had he not had the chances at Arsenal then he may well still be a bit-part player.
