Arsenal’s decision to sell Serge Gnabry in 2016 is looking more painful than ever, as the German winger is now statistically outperforming Arsenal’s current attacking stars, Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyokeres.
Gnabry vs Saka & Gyokeres: The Output Comparison That Stings for Arsenal
While Arsenal has enjoyed a strong start to the season, the attack has not yet hit its peak. Key forwards Bukayo Saka and summer signing Viktor Gyokeres have shown promise but have not been at their most prolific.
In contrast, their former teammate Serge Gnabry is thriving at Bayern Munich, delivering performances that have him ranked among “one of the best wingers in World football,” according to talent scout Jacek Kulig.
The decision to sell Gnabry continues to haunt the club. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has since revealed he never wanted to sell the player.
“We didn’t want to get rid of Gnabry, we wanted to keep him,” Wenger stated, but the German was in the final year of his contract and decided to join Werder Bremen.
Gnabry’s departure from North London was accelerated by a disastrous loan spell at West Bromwich Albion in 2015. Then-West Brom manager Tony Pulis very publicly stated that the young Gnabry was “not at the level” to play for his team.
This lack of faith, combined with Arsenal’s hesitation to offer a new deal immediately after a serious knee injury, led the player to seek a fresh start in Germany.
Arsenal sold him to Werder Bremen for a mere £5 million, a fee that now seems absurd. He quickly proved his quality, scoring 11 goals in 27 league appearances, which earned him a transfer to German giants Bayern Munich.
The statistical comparison for the current season underscores Arsenal’s loss. While Saka and Gyokeres are still finding their top form, Gnabry is directly influencing games at a higher rate.
A look at their goal contributions tells the story:
Serge Gnabry: 3 goals and 4 assists in 10 appearances
Bukayo Saka: 3 goals and 0 assists in 7 league appearances
Viktor Gyokeres: 3 goals and 0 assists in 10 appearances
Gnabry has blossomed into a elite forward at Bayern Munich, winning a treble of trophies including the UEFA Champions League and earning over 50 caps for the German national team.
His journey from an unappreciated talent at Arsenal to a world-class performer at Bayern serves as a stark reminder of what the Gunners let slip away.
While the current team is performing well, the sight of Gnabry excelling elsewhere is a painful lesson in the cost of a missed opportunity.
