Arsenal’s options on the right-hand side have been handed a further blow after Arsene Wenger admitted they did not hold the option to cut Serge Gnabry’s loan spell with West Brom short.
The Gunners have suffered a major crisis this week with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott both ruled-out until mid-November, joining Aaron Ramsey on the treatment table.
Those injuries have left just an uninspiring Joel Campbell and an unproven Alex Iwobi as Arsenal’s options heading into a crucial run of fixtures, with trips to face Swansea City and Bayern Munich as well as the small matter of the North London derby next weekend.
Many had questioned whether Arsenal could bring Serge Gnabry back immediately, with Baggies boss Tony Pulis unimpressed with the German U21 international’s performance, but Wenger is quoted by TalkSport as ruling out that option.
“He is on loan for a season and we can not get him back before the transfer period. Loans between Premier League clubs are for one season. I heard Tony Pulis is not happy with him but he’ll have to change that opinion.”
“I think Serge Gnabry as the quality to play in the Premier League. It is good he faces this battle and it will make him stronger, if he turns the opinion of Tony Pulis around. I hope he is facing the challenge and putting the effort in.”
Gnabry has played just 12 minutes of Premier League football with the Baggies this season and faces a stern test to find a way into the first-team.
Elsewhere, The Telegraph states the two Premier League sides will discuss Gnabry’s future in December and state he is likely to be recalled in January.