Bayern Munich demolished Chelsea, 3-0, in their Champions League tie and the spotlight was trained on former Arsenal Serge Gnabry who collaborated with Robert Lewandowski for the stunning win. And the question was raised by pundits: Why the German star did not flourish during his time at the Emirates?
To be sure, the most qualified person to supply the answer is former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who first saw the promise of Gnabry. Wenger signed the 17-year-old Gnabry, but his stay with the Gunners was marred by lack of playing time in the first years and an eventual loan spell to Bundesliga's Werder Bremen.
Now 24, Gnabry has lived up to the potential that convinced Wenger to take him in, but the star is shining even more not for Arsenal but for Bayern Munich. Wenger said Gnabry is not destined to be an Arsenal star.
With the Gunners, Wenger thought Gnabry was dripping with talent, but the then youngster was not willing to do things the hard way. There was no fire for him to do great things for Arsenal.
"He has no real limitations it's more how much does he want to suffer. Because he has pace, power, technical ability, he's very intelligent, sometimes he looks for the easy way in football. That's what was his problem. He lacked a bit," said the French manager and now a pundit, according to Metro.
Feeling generous, Wenger also revealed the circumstances on how Gnabry ended up at the Allianz, and it was a circuitous journey.
So he can hone his skills to make the Arsenal first-team, it was decided to send the German to West Brom but Wenger recalled that when the time came for the loan agreement to end, Gnabry made the decision to join Werder Bremen instead of returning to the Emirates.
Wenger claimed there was an understanding between him and Gnabry that the latter would return eventually, but Bayern came to the picture.
"I gave him to West Brom, it didn't work out at all. In fairness I think we had an agreement with him but Bayern stole him away from Werder Bremen. We had prepared him for us to sign his new contract but then suddenly he wanted to go to Werder Bremen. But it was not Werder Bremen that bought him it was Munich that bought him," Wenger shared.
There was not a hint of regret on the former Arsenal boss, but he surely is delighted of the growth seen in Gnabry. In the current season, Bleacher Report said the German winger has already netted 17 goals and dished out nine assists.
In his visit to Stamford with Bayern alone, Gnabry kicked in the two goals that practically sealed the win for the Bundesliga club.
Per Bleacher Report, the 24-year-old simply showcased brilliant football: "He took his goals against Chelsea brilliantly, producing two mature finishes after combining well with Robert Lewandowski."
