Arsène Wenger confirmed in his press conference on Friday afternoon that Serge Gnabry would be heading out on loan to West Brom this season.
Tony Pulis hasn’t always been best of friends with Wenger but maybe the relationship will be strengthened by the loan deal for the Germany u21 international.
Pulis will not play particularly adventurous football in the Midlands but Gnabry will certainly be allowed to burst forward on the counter-attack and is likely to become an important player at the Hawthorns.
“We’re delighted to add Serge to our options,” said the West Brom head coach. “He is a top player and he will bring us quality in certain areas of the pitch.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger said the move is one the midfielder needs right now.
“We know Serge is ready to play in the Premier League,” said the boss. “But we know as well that what is needed for him is to get 25 to 30 games to show that he can produce it on a regular basis and cope with it physically.”
It is clear that 25 to 30 games never would have been possible this season at Arsenal with Alexis Sánchez, Theo Walcott, Mesut Özil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain just some of the option Wenger has in attacking midfield areas.
Gnabry has made 18 appearances for the Arsenal first team, 10 of which have been in the Premier League. A run in the side during the 2013/14 season saw him net his first and – to date – only Premier League goal in an away win against Swansea City.
Now he has the chance to play regularly and show everyone that he has a future in the Premier League. Which, by the way, he certainly does.