Arsene Wenger not to blame for Arsenal’s Serge Gnabry missed opportunity

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Serge Gnabry’s form during the international break certainly got Arsenal fans going on Twitter. The German was sensational during the 2-2 draw with the Netherlands last night. Prior to that, he scored his fourth goal for Germany in just five caps during a 3-0 win over Russia.

Arsenal fans were left wondering why the club let him leave in 2016. The talented winger joined Werder Bremen for a reported £5 million in the summer of 2016. After an impressive season there, he was signed by Bayern Munich. A successful loan spell at Hoffenheim followed and he is now a regular for Bayern and Germany.

Many were laying the blame at Arsene Wenger’s door last night, wondering how the Frenchman let this star slip through the cracks. Many fans were irate.

However, the fact is, Wenger did not let him go. In fact, in the summer of 2016, the then Arsenal manager was adamant that he wanted to keep the German flyer.

“I want to keep Serge Gnabry and extend his contract. I think we stood by him. He went to West Brom on loan, didn’t play, and we had to rebuild his confidence.

“I allowed him to go to the Olympics to help Germany. I think he’s here now for a long time.”

– Wenger on Gnabry in August 2016

It was, in fact, Gnabry who forced a move. He had just spent a horror half-season under Tony Pulis at West Brom and went into Arsenal’s reserves upon his return. That came after missing over a year of action with a knee injury.

Simply put, Gnabry felt he needed a fresh start to revitalise his career and Wenger decided to grant the young man his wish.

Had Arsenal kept Gnabry, there is no telling if he could have fulfilled his potential in the way he has since exiting.

Arsenal fans can certainly lament what might have been. But on this occasion, Wenger is not to blame.