This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has stated that Bayern Munich manipulated his former player Serge Gnabry before he left the club.
What’s the word?
Gnabry, 24, was a former youth prospect in north London and has been remodelled into a key asset for the reigning Bundesliga champions.
Gunners’ fans were in awe of their former player as the German scored four goals past their hated neighbours Tottenham in the Champions League as Bayern triumphed 7-2. Gnabry later revealed that the club did not want to sell him.
Wenger, 70, suggested that the German-outfit manipulated Gnabry during his move to Werder Bremen in 2016.
Speaking to beIN Sports, Wenger said: “We tried to extend his contract for a very long time and I think that Bayern manipulated behind the scenes, that if he went to Bremen he would join Bayern after.
“He was always a very talented boy who lacked confidence in some stages, but we always thought we had a player who could achieve a lot. He came back from a very bad experience at West Brom where his confidence was destroyed. I tried to rebuild him because I believed in him.”
Salt in the wounds
For Arsenal supporters, Gnabry’s four-goal haul against Spurs was a bittersweet moment, as it was a case of what might have been.
Arsenal’s No. 44 at the time only played for the Gunners 18 times, scoring just once and spent a year playing in the Midlands in between.
After a bad stint at West Bromwich Albion on loan only playing three times, Wenger was unable to keep hold of the 24-year-old. He won the league and cup double last season.
Gnabry has scored 18 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern and after his sensational performance against Spurs, Gunners’ fans will be wishing he was still in north London.
Perhaps Wenger is right and Bayern did employ some questionable tactics; one thing is for sure, though, he is scoring goals for them instead of Arsenal.