Serge Gnabry

Published: 26 February, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

WHEN Serge Gnabry stopped one of his heroes and asked him to pose for a picture with him, little did he know that one day they’d be sharing the pitch. 

Perhaps if he had, he would have thought twice about it – especially considering how much he’s now teased about it in training. 

But all the banter and ribbing doesn’t stop Gnabry ranking team-mate and compatriot Mesut Ozil as “one of the very best playmakers in the world”. 

The German forward told Arsenal Player: “It’s a funny story. Mesut teases me with it up to this day. He was involved in a tournament near my home town and I was about 10 years old, so I went to watch it. 

“He was the best player at the tournament and I got a picture with him back then – but you better not ask him about it, because otherwise he will be too happy!” 

Gnabry made his long-awaited comeback on Monday night when he pulled on an Arsenal shirt for the first time in 11 months following a knee injury. He helped the club’s Under-21s secure a 2-1 victory over Newcastle at St James’ Park in front of 1,305 fans. 

Having got more than an hour under his belt, Gnabry is now hungrier than ever to fight his way back into the Gunners’ first team – and in so doing rekindle his partnership with his hero Ozil. 

“Mesut is one of the best playmakers there is in the world and, for me as an attacking player, it’s great to play alongside him and learn from him,” said the 19-year-old. 

“It’s a lot easier to play with someone like Mesut because he can make you shine. 

“I’m happy to be playing alongside him and learning from him. 

“He’s a very special player. We’ve all seen what he’s capable of. When he was at Real Madrid, in my eyes, he was one of the best playmakers in the world – and still is.”