Liverpool played out a tense 0-0 draw against Bayern Munich during their opening Champions League game that leaves the tie nicely poised for the return leg at the Allianz Arena. One of the game's impressive performers was Serge Gnabry, much to the frustration of Arsenal fans.
Gnabry left the London club in 2016 for a reported £5 million. He spent four years with Arsenal, making 10 appearances during that time. Yet the winger looked a player rejuvenated in Anfield and posed all sorts of questions to Andrew Robertson.
Speaking on RTE Sport, Liam Brady had initially been sceptical of the 23-year-old pre-match but was quickly won over and hailed his performance after the game. He cited him as superior to a "‘a player at Arsenal, no names but he’s on 360k a week."
For Arsenal fans, watching a player they let go for so little thrive in a position they are light on proved tough to take.
There honestly isn’t a loan deal in recent years that Arsenal regret quite as much as sending Serge Gnabry to West Brom. Such a loss to the club.
Spectre of how badly wrong they got that one of the reasons they’ve been reluctant to send Nketiah, Willock to Championship.— James Benge (@jamesbenge) February 19, 2019
We actually gave Gnabry to Tony Pulis on loan, whoever then decided to sell him has a lot to answer for.
— MR DT (@MrDtAFC) February 19, 2019
Gnabry what a player ffss
— Sash ~ (@ltarsenal) February 19, 2019
Speaking post-match, the winger said the night's proceedings were "fun" and described it as a "fair result."
"It was fun. Hopefully next time I'll go past and score!"
Gnabry certainly enjoyed his battle with Robertson!https://t.co/sbwY9KzXfX#beINUCL #UCL #LIVFCB ? HD11 pic.twitter.com/Y4atwACEKy— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 19, 2019
In many ways, Gnabry is emblematic of a malfunctioning transfer policy that ruled over the club for the past decade. The German eventually left due to restricted first-team appearances.
He's now in the Champions League, Arsenal are not. For the Emirates Stadium faithful, they can only hope that the system that resulted in that has been discarded and will not affect their future.
