So a player who’s last competitive appearance was in March 2014 leaves Arsenal for Werder Bremen in a deal that equates to roughly €6million.
Official: Werder Bremen have signed Serge Gnabry on a permanent deal. Fee believed to be around €5million. pic.twitter.com/Cco6jsSXYA
— Fresh Arsenal (@Fresh_Arsenal) August 31, 2016
Surely by that reckoning you’d expect everything to go under the radar and both the fans and the club can move on with other business.
However, the majority of Arsenal fans are raging at Arsene Wenger for allowing the German international to move away permanently after a stunning showing at the Olympics.
But as more details begin to get released from this transfer, the more it looks like there’s nothing Wenger could’ve done to stop the 21-year-old from heading back to his home country.
It looks as if the former Stuttgart youngster had his heart set on the switch after consoling with Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker over the type of club he can expect to find himself in.
A lack of playing time and failure to have any real belief in his ability is what’s made Gnabry force this move through, which is udnerstandable especially after last season.
Gnabry was treated horrendously after being sent on loan to West Brom, where he made two substitute appearances before being dropped to the Under-21’s and recalled early.
Since then he’s not had a sniff at first-team football and now he’s realised clubs like Bremen will understand and admire his potential.
What He Said:
Gnabry was put in front of the media earlier this afternoon during a Werder Bremen press conference specifically set up to announce their final signing of the window:
I’m very happy to be here. Per Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil have only said positive things about the club.
I had very good talks with the management and that has lead me here to Werder Bremen and the Bundesliga.
The Olympics were a personal highlight for me and I’d like to carry on my development here. I’m confident we’ll have a successful season and push for the top half of the table.
I’ve come to Bremen to get playing time, to develop further and to help the team.
The comments come after the club agreed a 4-year-deal with Gnabry, but it is still unknown whether or not Arsenal included a buy-back clause in the contract.
What They Said:
All the best to my German brother @SergeGnabry on his new challenge! Show everyone what you can do! #baller
— Isaac Hayden (@IsaacHayden65) August 31, 2016
@werderbremen_en Good luck @SergeGnabry – and thanks again for this moment… pic.twitter.com/3B9emJuB7x
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) August 31, 2016
Sad to see @SergeGnabry go after a great 5 years together. All the best brother, smash it ? pic.twitter.com/BLiW7OPccc
— Héctor Bellerín (@HectorBellerin) August 31, 2016
I’m gutted that @SergeGnabry has moved on. Top lad and top player. I hope he goes on to have a big career. pic.twitter.com/kBYw8eisZr
— David Price (@priceyd101) August 31, 2016
Good luck to @SergeGnabry on his move to @werderbremen. pic.twitter.com/L65Z6TaAg9
— Stuart MacFarlane (@Stuart_PhotoAFC) August 31, 2016
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