After Serge Gnabry’s new club, Werder Bremen, took to Twitter to gloat that their forward had scored a hattrick for Germany, the player was asked about it.

Speaking to Network Germany (RND), the 21-year-old praised the Premier League and Arsenal in particular, claiming that he wouldn’t be where he is today without us. Which, to be fair, is totally true.

“Without being in England, I would not be the player I am now,” he said [via Sport1].

“There was Arsenal’s quick playing style, for example, which I learned.

“When you are a young player and you get to train with such top players as there are at Arsenal for three years then of course you take something away with you and it improves you.

“That was definitely the case with me. I probably would not be here now if I had not been in England.”

The German international has been enjoying football since leaving Arsenal for the Bundesliga. He’s scored four goals and assisted two in nine appearances, which is a brilliant return.

And now he scored his first international hattrick on his debut. Not bad considering he thought the call-up was a prank!

“The coach called me and I had to consider for a while whether it was real or not,” he said.

“There have been a lot of these fake calls on the radio and I just didn’t want to be the next victim!”

This explains why Werder Bremen sporting executive, Frank Baumann, was so quick to inform Kreiszeitung that Gnabry, who they bought for a reported €5m, is most definitely not for sale during the winter transfer window.

“We will certainly not give him away after only a few months,” Baumann said.

“And he does not want to leave either, I am dead certain.”

As much as it’s good to see him doing well, getting game time and enjoying his football, there will absolutely be a part of most Gooners, as well as Arsene Wenger, who see him as the one that got away.