Football
Mattias Karen, Arsenal correspondent 8y

Arsenal's Serge Gnabry to be offered new contract - Arsene Wenger

LONDON--Arsene Wenger has ruled out the possibility of selling Serge Gnabry after the midfielder's impressive displays for Germany at the Olympics.

Gnabry, 21, has scored six goals to help his nation set up a final against Brazil in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, drawing increased interest from clubs looking to snap up a player who has never fully established himself in the Arsenal first team.

Hertha Berlin were among the clubs expressing an interest in the youngster, but Wenger said he will be staying put at the Emirates Stadium.

"I want to keep Serge Gnabry, and to extend his contract," Wenger said at a news conference on Friday. "Because I think we stood by him for a long time."

Gnabry made nine league appearances as an 18-year-old in the 2013-14 season, when the Gunners struggled with injuries, but then missed the following campaign with his own fitness problems.

He was sent on loan to West Bromwich Albion last season, but was only given one league appearance by Tony Pulis before returning to Arsenal in January, spending the rest of the campaign playing for their under-21s.

"He went to West Brom and didn't get a game, we had to rebuild his confidence when he came back," Wenger said. "I allowed him to go to the Olympic Games without having played for us at all, to get him back to competition and to help Germany. So I think he's here now for a long time and it's important that he stays with us."

Gnabry faces competition from Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Joel Campbell and Alex Iwobi for a starting spot on the wing upon his return to North London.

^ Back to Top ^