Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry has moved to West Brom on a season-long loan, becoming the ninth Arsenal player to be loaned out this season. The German winger represented his country at the Under 21 European Championships earlier this summer.
Gnabry moved to Arsenal from Stuttgart in 2011 and he made his first-team debut a year later in a League Cup tie against Coventry City. He broke into the first team during the 2013/14 season, when an injury to Theo Walcott gave him a surprise chance in a 3-1 win over Stoke City. He went on to make 14 appearances that season and scored his first Arsenal goal in a 3-0 win over Swansea City.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger acknowledges that Gnabry can play in the Premier League but feel he needs "25 to 30 games" to show that he can "produce on a regular basis" and "cope with it physically". Wenger also said that after Gnabry's injury he needs "competition" and to compete "at a regular level".
Gnabry's move may end West Brom's interest in Phillips
West Brom manager Tony Pulis was pleased with his new acquisition, saying that he "delighted" to bring in Gnabry. Pulis feels that he is a "top player" and that he brings "quality" to the side. The season-long loan signing of Gnabry could spell the end of West Brom's interest in QPR's Matty Phillips. Albion were reportedly interested in the Scottish winger but didn't want to meet the London club's £7million valuation.
Gnabry has become the Midlands club's fourth summer signing, after James McClean, James Chester and Rickie Lambert. As the deal was completed after the Premier League's midday deadline, Gnabry will not be able to start West Brom's opening match against Manchester City on Monday.
Gnabry becomes the ninth Arsenal player to be loaned out, after Wojciech Szczecny, Carl Jenkinson, Yaya Sanogo, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Chuba Akpom, Isaac Hayden, Daniel Crowley and Jan Toral.
