One former Arsenal player has offered a subtle hint that a return to the Emirates is very much on the table at some point later in his footballing career.
Serge Gnabry, who departed the Gunners after failing to make an impression during his time in the Premier League, has since become prolific Bundesliga winger since joining Bavarian giants Bayern Munich from Werder Bremen in 2017.
He infamously left following claims by then-West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis that he was ‘not at the level’ required for the Premier League following a difficult spell with the Baggies in the 2015/16 season.
He made just three appearances on loan at The Hawthorns and only managed 18 appearances and a solitary goal in his time with Arsenal. Now valued at a formidable £81m by Transfermarkt, the winger has amassed 40 goals and 24 assists in 97 games for Bayern Munich – quite the transformation from the Baggies flop described by Pulis.
The Bayern Munich star has now said that Arsenal would be ‘the favourite‘ option if he ever decides to return to the Premier League in his career, indicating he feels he has some unfinished business in England.
“You always hear a little bit about it or people in the UK ask me about it,” he told CBS Sports. “It looks like it won’t stop, all I can say is I’m proud of the journey I’ve taken.
“To be a Champions League winner now when a couple of years back I was doubted is obviously a great thing for me.”
A stoic confidence and a drive to improve appeared to play a big factor in his career turnaround.
“Of course after having struggled a lot it was difficult to pick myself up.
“The biggest thing is that self-confidence, that I knew what I was capable of. I never lost that. Obviously, you doubt it at some points but I never lost it.
“The second biggest point in that way is I was playing a lot, not having so many injuries, so many little things that kept me out of games.
“To just be consistent and being able to play every time, showing my performance helped me for the future. If I can play I can show what I can do.”
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Gunners may well be regretting the loss of a star of world football and questioning how his talent failed to be nurtured in north London as well as it has been in Germany.
Regardless, it is encouraging that he still sees Arsenal in a good light and is open to plying his trade at the Emirates Stadium again, were he to return to England. A move may never materialise, but his comments are cause for mild optimism.
