Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Didn't Want to Sell Serge Gnabry, Top Rumours

Arsene Wenger has admitted he didn't want to sell Serge Gnabry after the German winger netted a hat-trick on his international debut at senior level. Arsenal manager Wenger sold Gnabry to Werder Bremen in the summer but conceded he wanted to keep the 21-year-old.

Speaking to BT Sport (h/t Metro's Lee Thomas-Mason), Wenger revealed how Arsenal attempted to extend Gnabry's contract before the player himself opted to return to Germany: "We didn’t want to get rid of Gnabry, we wanted to keep him. But he was in the last year of his contract. We were close to extending his contract but finally he changed his mind and went to Werder Bremen."

Wenger was speaking after Gnabry enjoyed a terrific first start for Germany's senior national team. The Bremen star netted a hat-trick as part of an 8-0 win over San Marino.

Squawka detailed when he got his goals:

Gnabry's special outing prompted Bremen and Arsenal to throw some shade each other's way on Twitter, according to James Cambridge of the Daily Express. Some Arsenal fans had also taken to the social media platform to bemoan Gnabry being allowed to leave the club this summer, per the London Evening Standard.

Yet Wenger believes Gnabry was developed well by the Gunners, even though he didn't stay, per BT Sport (h/t Thomas-Mason): "I think we taught him a lot and I think if you ask him he would agree with that."

Wenger has a point, since Gnabry made rapid strides after joining the north London club as a 15-year-old from VfB Stuttgart in 2010. He was given chances in both the UEFA Champions League and Premier League during the 2012/13 season.

Gnabry was handed a first start in England's top flight the following season. He responded by scoring the opener in a 2-1 away win over Swansea City.

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Gnabry also featured in a 2-0 win over north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in that season's FA Cup. The German caused plenty of problems as part of a jet-heeled and fluid forward line also featuring Theo Walcott.

However, a run of injuries and a dismal loan spell at West Bromwich Albion followed, derailing Gnabry's development at Arsenal.

But he became a touted property again after thriving for Germany at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. He finished as the joint-top goalscorer at the tournament, per FIFA's official website.

Eventually, Bremen gave the Gunners £4.25 million for a player who had come through the academy. It was good business, even though Gnabry's potential and raw talent will always leave some reservations.

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However, some perspective is needed. Gnabry showed immense promise with the Gunners, but he never managed to become the finished article. A hat-trick on a senior debut at international level is impressive, but the weakness of the opposition must also be factored in.

Finally, it's not as if Arsenal have been left lacking for young prospects breaking through to the first team. Alex Iwobi is one attacking midfielder who has made the grade. Meanwhile, Jeff Reine-Adelaide and Chris Willock are two more academy players who could well follow suit.

Gunners Scout Greece U19 Defender

Wenger's commitment to acquiring and developing talented youngsters could be leading Arsenal to a teenage defender at Olympiakos. Scouts from the Gunners reportedly watched 18-year-old Panagiotis Retsos during Greece under-19's win over Wales, according to Goal.

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The report also indicated how Retsos was skipper for the match, while describing him as versatile enough to play every defensive position. It's not unusual for a young prospect to be so versatile. Good coaching is responsible for finding a player's best position.

Wenger hasn't been shy about bringing in young defenders in recent seasons. He signed Carl Jenkinson as a 19-year-old from Charlton Athletic in 2011 and also acquired 20-year-old Rob Holding from Bolton Wanderers this summer.

Yet his biggest success story has been Hector Bellerin. The 21-year-old joined Arsenal from Barcelona's academy as a 16-year-old winger in 2011. But Wenger and the Gunners converted the Catalan into a right-back, and he's now one of the best in his position in the Premier League.

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Whenever a club relies on youth as much as Arsenal, there are bound to be some misses to go with the hits. For a variety of reasons, Gnabry belongs in the former category. But his fate won't stop Wenger from trying to unearth his next young star.