Serge Gnabry is one of Arsenal’s former players that the Gunners wish they had not allowed to leave. When they signed him in 2011, he was clearly a promising talent and seemed on course to reach the top of the game.
Early Career at Arsenal
However, after his rapid promotion to the first team, Gnabry struggled to make the required impact in a demanding Arsenal squad. His development was hindered by injuries and inconsistent opportunities, and he eventually departed the club in 2016. Since then, he has established himself as one of Europe’s finest players, consistently performing at the highest level and drawing interest from top clubs across the continent.
When Arsenal face Bayern Munich tomorrow, Gnabry will be looking to make an impact against his former club, reminding the Gunners of the player they once allowed to leave. Now 30, he remains one of the continent’s top talents and has been linked with a potential return to the Premier League. Every time he faces Arsenal, his departure from the Emirates is remembered as an example of a player who left the club and flourished elsewhere.
Volz Reflects on Gnabry’s Departure
Scout Moritz Volz said via T-Online, “They were certainly a little annoyed, especially immediately after Serge left. But he wasn’t under-appreciated. He made his first professional appearances early on, and they were good. Then came injuries that slowed his momentum a bit. There were loan spells that didn’t go as planned. And ultimately, it wasn’t Arsenal who said he couldn’t make it, but he himself who said, ‘I see a different path for myself’. And that’s how it turned out.”
Volz’s comments highlight that while Arsenal may have regretted Gnabry’s departure, the decision ultimately stemmed from the player himself. His career trajectory demonstrates how a player can leave a top academy and go on to achieve world-class success, leaving lasting memories for their former club and supporters alike.
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The way I heard it was the club wanted to offer him a new contract. But on offering said contract, they also said they wanted to send him out on loan again.
He said he didn’t want to go out on loan again, so Arsenal sold him to Bayern Munich. The irony is, they then sent him out on loan. 😂🤣👍
Derek, we sold him to Werder Bremen, not Bayern Munich. A year after joining Werder Bremen, Bayern then bought him.
Herr Drier,
I really must check my sources better. Thanks for the correction. Every days a school day as the saying goes. 🤣👍
Derek, I’ve just checked and after he signed for Bayern he did go on loan for a season, to Hoffenheim.
Herr Drier,
On doing a bit of digging, It would appear that Wenger wasn’t happy with Bayern. He claims they manipulated the Gnabry situation, he claims that they told Gnabry to join Werder Bremen and he would then be bought by them the following season.
Whether there’s any truth in that, who knows?.
I seem to remember Arsenal themselves being accused of the regards an Argentinian player, Vivas. It was claimed that he was sold to a club, with the intention of Arsenal then buying him.
Derek, I recall that happening. It not the first time we’ve been involved in that sort of transfer. January ’99 Marseille wanted to buy Kaba Diawara from Bordeaux, but Bordeaux refused to sell him to them. We bought him and then sold him at the end of the season to guess who. That’s right, Marseille.
TH14 was another one. Wenger wanted to sign him in ’98 after France had won the World Cup. Monaco refused to sell him to us, as we had already signed 3 of their players the previous season, Petit, Grimandi and Wreh. Juve signed him in January ’99 and then we bought in August ’99.
Herr Drier,
Good knowledge. 👍