Analysis: Arsenal's Serge Gnabry vs. Liverpool's Raheem Sterling

Arsenal midfielder Serge Gnabry is likely to return to the starting line up against Liverpool at The Emirates on Sunday, replacing Santi Cazorla in the Gunners midfield, and is keen to make up for lost time and keep his place in the Gunners side. Gnabry has made just eight appearances this season, but has admitted that he hopes to use the cup tie to catch his manager’s eye.

“I am eager to get back in the team and I’m trying my best in training,” he told Arsenal’s matchday programme.

“I am hoping to catch the manager’s eye and hoping to get back in the starting XI.”

“The FA Cup is a great opportunity for young players. I really enjoy playing in the competition and I hope we make it to the final.”

“We have got a chance, and it doesn’t matter who is still in the cup because in the end you have to play the best teams.”

“I think it is going to be a great game for sure and we just want to make it to the next round.”

Having started back-to-back Premier League games in September, Gnabry has made just six further league appearances since and could be forgiven for feeling a bit frustrated at his lack of action, particularly given the injury problems that have plagued Arsenal’s first choice winger Theo Walcott this season.

However, he looks likely to start against Liverpool and won’t have far to look for inspiration to take into the rest of the season. Raheem Sterling experienced a similar, if a bit more spectacular, introduction to the Premier League last season before seeing his progress stall.

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The England winger burst onto the scene and started 16 consecutive games at the beginning of last season. However, after his explosive start, which culminated in the only international cap of his career so far, he found himself out of the side and didn’t start any of the side’s last 16 fixtures.

Despite this setback, he has proven resurgent this season and has built upon last campaign’s breakthrough to hold down a place in the Liverpool side, scoring five goals and providing two assists in his 21 appearances. Gnabry can draw inspiration from Sterling’s breakthrough last year and should keep the Liverpool winger in mind when considering his role in Arsene Wenger’s squad.

His development is a year behind that of Sterling, as is his age, but Gnabry’s record this season exceeds Sterling at his age in many respects. His Squawka Performance Score per 90 minutes played this season edges out Sterling’s over last season, just, whilst his goal against Swansea City means that he has the same number of goals that Sterling managed last year but in fewer games.

As expected from an Arsenal player, his pass accuracy is higher than Sterling’s last year, but he has also threatened the goal more often by taking just over two shots per 90 minutes compared to Sterling’s 1.75.

The German youth international does lag behind Sterling when it comes to take ons and chances created, although his take-ons per 90 minutes would stand up to comparison with most players.

Gnabry’s highest Squawka Performance Score of the season so far came against Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium in only his second start for the club. He showed great composure to open the scoring with an incisive finish and secured a performance score of 30 over the course of the game.

He also provided one chance for a teammate during the game and secured a pass completion rate of 92%, misplacing just three passes.

Whilst he may be frustrated over his lack of starts since that day at the Liberty Stadium, he would do well to take a look at Sterling. The pair are at similar levels in their late teens, with Gnabry shading Sterling in many areas. If Gnabry can develop as well as Sterling has over the past 6 months then he may add to the growing legion of midfielders to have made the leap from Arsenal also-ran to first team regular.