Serge Gnabry. Another outstanding young Arsenal player.
By Cameron Wolfe.
Before you wonder about his surname. He’s German. (Silent G)
He’s another speedy forward who joined Arsenal from VfB Stuttgart in the summer 2011. He’s quickly established himself in the reserves and managed six appearances and scored twice.
As well as being a forward he’s just as adept using his blistering pace out on the wings and has already turned heads in his début season with the Academy.
The Germany youth international has also added another six goals in eight games for the Under-18s, including a scorching début strike against Crystal Palace.
Like Akpom, Gnabry uses his electric pace and technical skill to great advantage. He was rewarded for his rapid progress with a professional contract in summer 2012. His pace is mentioned in almost every comment about him at the club and at only 17 he’s tipped to be even faster than Theo. So maybe a quick winger with a footballing brain.
Arsenal.com says about him: “He’s a powerfully built midfielder… Strong in the tackle, with an impressive turn of pace and an eye for goal, Serge is an all-round attack-minded midfielder.”
But despite that comment about being a midfielder he is currently being deployed mostly on the left wing. He’s the kid putting all those glorious crosses in for the likes of Akpom to score his goals from.
Gnarby certainly has the ability to scare the life out of the opposition. He isn’t afraid to tackle, track back and scored a cracking long range goal on his début.
Mr Wenger certainly thinks he’s good enough adding him to the pre season squad. He his made his first team début for the Arsenal in the friendly against German side FC Cologne.
He played form the start of the second half for about twenty minutes in all. Arsene perhaps suggesting that this friendly wasn’t just about giving Gnabry experience, but also getting him some minutes in the team to improve his fitness and ready him for first-team football as soon as possible.
In a recent Arsenal interview Gnabry said:
“It has gone very well and I am enjoying being involved with the first team very much. I am trying my best and working as hard as I can. This season I hope to get some appearances in the Capital One Cup and even in the Premier League. I just have to try my best and hopefully train with them every day to develop myself.”
“It was a huge step for me to join Arsenal initially but I was delighted. I am proud to be a Gunner and I am just trying to enjoy my time here at the Club.”
I managed to watch the Marseille highlights, being as unbiased as I can be! The team looks special… every player seemed to want the ball. Their passing and movement was superb.
Terry Burton certainly wanted to win the game. Even he was surprised by how easily they did. Marseille had a couple of chances; Akpom alone could’ve had a few more.
Let’s hope as the tournament progresses some of the broadcasters may want to show the later stage finals?
Other players who were outstanding were that night were: Angha, Ebecilio, Toral, Olsson, Yennaris.
Angha stood out as yet another attacking left back. I have no idea how the coaching staff keep on producing them.
Next game up is Athletic Bilbao at home (Underhill)
In the Under 21 league Arsenal have played 3 and won 3, scoring 9 and conceding 1. In the under 18 league we have won 1, drawn 1 and lost 1.
The under 21 team for the last game was
James Shea
Hector Bellerin; Martin Angha; Ignasi Miquel (c); Elton Monteiro
Craig Eastmond; Thomas Eisfeld; Nico Yennaris
Jernade Meade; Chuks Aneke; Sanchez Watt
———————————————————
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Gnabry surely looks great.
I also think Bellerin looks very promising from what I have seen in the summaries at arsenal player. His attacking runs are impressive.
If those players can all be a bit patient and then when our current first team players reach the age of 30 they could be slotted in very nicely.
I know some will say they are not that special as Cesc played in the first team since he was 16.
Well I think that maybe Wenger will not do that again so easily with a player.To protect him a bit more and to give him more time to adapt to the PL
Nice write Cameron,
I’m always nursing that feeling about these young players as to their possibility of turning out as first team players. They look so good in the Academy/youth/reserve team one can only hope to see them in the first team some day as a regular. But just about when they are supposed to come around, there will be competition that will stifle them out and poof, off they go, to another team/league. I’ll just keep hoping all the same.
Nice write up once again.
That is great news!
Always nice to hear the about the lads coming through.
We have some excellent young players coming through,
—————–Martinaz
Jenikson—- Angha——–Miquel——Ottewill
—–Iwobi—-Yennaris—-Jebb—–Gnarby
——————Akpom—————-
——————Afboe—————–
Gnabry is the most exciting young player I’ve seen since Cesc. The difference is when Cesc was 16/17 he could enter the first team without any experience cause the team was full with experience. If we had Pires, Henry, Ljungberg, Gilberto, etc in the team now, Gnabry would easily manage in the first team. These days the situation is kind of different. The team is full with young players and it is harder to get in the first team. It is certainly no coincidence that Gnabry is the only young player in the CL team. It is the one player I’m eager to see getting some games this year.
Well, I know about Gnabry but i want to see Sanchez Watt replacing a certain Moroccan in the team. Watt has more desire, can score goals and him with Eastmond have been patient enough, so they deserve their chance.
During the pre-season, I certainly read a Wenger quote promising Gnarby games in the first team this season. Le Prof must rate him highly too.
I always wonder how much these exciting 17-20year old prospects impact upon Wenger’s decisions not to buy when, on the other hand, pundits reel off the positions where, it their opinioon, we have deficiencies or inadequate cover on the bench.
Someday, the promotion from within into the first team will happen so seamlessly that we hardly dip into the transfer market…
I then ESPN have said they are going to be covering the latter stages of the Next Gen series?
I have watched most of the highights of this group, and the do look a proper ‘team’. Out of the first team squad I think maybe Coquelin has most to fear on Yennaris’s midfield efforts? Looks happier there than at RB, but the pair are willing to play wherever they can. Similar thought with Bellerin, he has far too much pace and trickery to be wasted at fullback. Monteiro keeps on improving with each game to add to the future centre-back ranks.
But the Gnabry/Angha link up is particularly impressive, along with Eisfeld amd Aneke. However, most need another full season, and maybe even a loan period before we can really judge how good they will be, but Gnabry and Yennaris not far off this season. The former I had a dream pre-season where he replaced Cazorla at half time and helped us to a 6-0 win. While young Nico would get my vote if Coquelin is unavailable should, heaven forbid, either Diaby or Arteta get injured.
Yes, I am the same person who would have liked to see Yann M’vila in our squad. He would stop any temptation to over-use that pair, but also it would allow these youngsters gain experience alongside him without any major detriment to our defensive cover … Maybe January?
There is no doubt the reshaping of the reserve teams set up, along with this Next Gen series could not come at a better time for our youngsters. The defence will be tested by the Bilbao youth though.
Which reminds of the earlier blog of our latest signing, the Macedonian GK .. We did have to get a reserve keeper in for a couple of Under 18’s games because of injuries, so another good signing in the bag?
Good article,this kid is unreal no wonder Wenger put him in the CL squad he’s simply to good for the youth leagues,every game I’ve seen him in he was the best player on the field. It seems with Podolski/Gnabri/and I guess Gervinio if he ever comes through we have the left side covered for years. For me the gem of the U21’s so far has to be Akpom though his movement,pace,and strength at 16!!! is unreal,the fact that he’s humble and has a good work rate makes me convinced he’s going to be a star. Toral and Eisfeld as well I also see in the 1st team soon. I’m sure all these talented kids we have is the reason Wenger didn’t buy anyone late in the transfer window and is so confident about the future.
* Kyle Ebecilo Player of the Euro U17 tournament a year ago can’t even get in the starting lineup of the youth team that’s how good they are.
I mentioned in the Akpom article about him being a Gooner and his aim is to play in the 1st team.
Here we have a young German player stating he’s “Proud to be a gunner”
I know that we do have a wealth of young talent coming through and yes Cesc was involved in the first team at 16 but todays team is a different team from then. That said it is reassuring that we do have resources at the club who when needed will willing step in if and when the oppertunity comes along.
You can argue that in the EPL 16/17 olds are in some of the the first team but is that out of choice or the only option.
I’m hoping that the New Gen league is going to give the Academy players that extra level to play, learn and grow together on.
The future’s bright the future’s red and white.
Gooner for life.
Agreed.
Gnabry looks like a special talent, but also Toral and Bellerin look like they will really push for the first team in the next 2-3 years.
I reckon Gnabry will play some first team games this year, though.
They all like to slate AW+ our club? But how come all clubs want to poach Arsenal players.AW is doing a great job,Liam Brady+ all arsenal coaches ( Academy youth reserves) look great? Hopefully we will see some of them playing in>(CC+FAC+PL)+ dont forget our first team? Stand up and be proud Arsenal fans,get behind all our players let them know we care.They will do us proud this season pg( they hurt just like we do,when not appreciated + loved? Some fans think before you post c…???
Good job Aw. I will like to see gnabry playing more in the main team this season,so that the world can see what we have in stock. Best of luck.up gunners.
good to hear thatas to me an arsenal fun coz we are about to see another wilshere but in the wings and thats good to me
wat a nice out standing player that i watched against fc cologne
Nice write up…pls kip up the good work.
Am xoxoxo proud of this football club and everything it represents such that if we don’t win any trophy in d next 3yr (which i knw its nt possible going by d qualities we have),i won’t be bothered cos i know the future z bright.
Pls,care should b taking in hypin this boys up and much pressure should never b placed on them cos making d step up from age grade football 2 playing full football isnt easy its jst lyk writing an MBBS.ARSENAL-Always Ahead Of The Game.
we do hope he will become gunners’ future Henry, Fabrigas etc. Up gunners