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Serge Gnabry celebrates scoring his Arsenal’s first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Swansea and Arsenal at Liberty Stadium.
Not many people knew who Serge Gnabry was when he made his way into the Arsenal first team. But everyone saw his potential when he played 3 games in a week (including 120 minutes of League Cup action) and even scored for the Gunners in the Premier League against Swansea.
Here are some little known facts about the German midfielder/winger.
1. Gnabry was born to a German mother and an Ivorian father. And it sure looks like he’s been blessed with the efficiency of a German and the raw pace and strength of an Ivorian.
2. Gnabry was actually a sprinter when he was much younger but decided to play football instead of pursuing a serious career as an athlete. Much like Theo Walcott, who he believes he can beat in a sprint.
3. He was bought by Arsenal from VfB Stuttgart in 2010 for £100,000, even before his 16th birthday. But he couldn’t sign a professional contract until he turned 16 in 2011. Money well spent by Arsenal?
4. He initially started his Arsenal career in the U-18 squad but the coaches were so impressed that he was bumped up to the Reserves team in the same season.
5. His first official Arsenal debut was in the 2012-13 season in the League Cup (much like Arsenal’s other youngsters under Wenger’s tutelage).
6. Gnabry is Arsenal’s third youngest player to ever play in the Premier League? Who is he behind? None other than Jack Wilshere and Cesc Fabregas. Is that a sign of things to come?
7. Gnabry’s goal against Swansea at the Liberty stadium made him Arsenal’s second youngest EPL goal scorer, behind Cesc Fabregas and just ahead of Wilshere.
8. Gnabry grew up supporting Barcelona (Oh, oh…)
9. He has represented Germany in the U16, U17 and U18 level. It’s only a matter of time before he makes a step up to the German national team.
10. Gnabry was just a one year old toddler when Arsene Wenger took over at Arsenal. Wenger even commented on that, “I can’t believe it. Now I have some players in my squad who were not born when I arrived at Arsenal.”
Still not convinced of how good he is? Here’s a compilation of his best goals at the youth level. He literally does have an affinity for the top corner, doesn’t he?
