Arsenal Revive Justice With Serge Gnabry Recall

Arsenal was said to have recalled Serge Gnabry awhile ago, but the loan continued. Yet, there can be no misunderstanding Arsene Wenger’s words this time around.

12 minutes. That is how long it takes to microwave two bags of broccoli steamers. That is how long it takes to watch 5.9% of Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. That is also how long Serge Gnabry was given to prove himself to the offensive stalwarts known collectively as West Brom.

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The German winger has had the most disastrous loan in the history of loans. Arsenal sent Gnabry to the Baggies after he returned from his year-long knee injury because it was supposedly going to be a good way to get him first team experience and rehabilitate the knee.

However, after 12 minutes, Serge Gnabry was dubbed not good enough and pushed into the Baggies basement, where he has been rotting with the reserves ever since.

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Arsene Wenger made many remarks about how Gnabry needed to pull himself out of that mess, but clearly he was not that serious. This time, Wenger looks ready to make a move.

When asked if the loan was over, Wenger responded, as quoted by the Daily Star: “Yes. I am tempted to give him some competition because at the moment he has not played at West Brom.So  I’m tempted to let him go somewhere to do with him what I did with [Francis] Coquelin, somewhere one month or two months.”

You probably can’t see me, and if you can, I’m rather scared, but I am giving Wenger a standing ovation. This is long overdue. Lessons are great and all, but this kid has learned plenty of lessons in the process of pushing his way into the Arsenal first team at the age of 18, scoring his first goal, demolishing his knee, missing a year and becoming a peasant in Tony Pulis’ feudal state. There are more lessons in those two years at Arsenal than in whatever he could scrounge from being unfairly demoted.

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If he did not fit with Pulis’ side, that’s fine. But let’s not beat around the bush. Yank him back to Arsenal and find him somewhere new to go. There is no shame in that. He would have had a pristine chance to break into the Arsenal squad while Alexis and Walcott were out, but the loan was in the way. Best not to let situations like that pass by again.

Gnabry is incredibly talented, let’s not forget that. He was right behind the Ox in potential. Scoring at the age of 18 for a club like Arsenal is no small feat.

It remains to be seen where Gnabry will end up. In all likelihood, Wenger just wants to see how he can deal with consistent first team action. A one or two month loan deal would see him do one of two things. Either he proves himself and joins the senior squad or he struggles and additional steps are needed. Whatever the case, West Brom was just a speed bump in his progression.

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We have yet to see him welcomed home, but I will go ahead and steal Wenger’s line. It will be as good as a new transfer.