If Arsenal could turn back the clock, which talented forward would they move heaven and earth to keep at the Emirates Stadium?
We’d imagine that Serge Gnabry, Germany international, multiple Bundesliga winner and all-round world-class attacker, is the name on the tip of your tongue, right?
“I was very sad (to see him go),” legendary Gunners boss Arsene Wenger told beIN Sports when reminiscing about a man who made just ten Premier League appearances for the London giants before joining Werder Bremen for a bargain £5 million.
“I knew he would have a great career.”
Wenger’s judgement might have come under question in the last decade or so – kick-ins, a World Cup every two years, Yaya Sanogo, you get the idea.
But, when it comes to Gnabry, he was right on the money.
In four years as a Bayern Munich player, Gnabry has lifted more trophies (ten) than Arsenal have since the heady days of Patrick Vieira, Martin Keown and Thierry Henry.
But at least Gnabry is going about his business over in Germany. Out of sight, out of mind, for the most part.
The prospect of Stephy Mavididi returning to England – London, even – and showing Arsenal supporters first-hand what they’re missing out on would be an altogether more painful experience.
Especially if the Hale End graduate ends up firing West Ham United into the promised land of the Champions League at Arsenal’s expense.
Will former Arsenal starlet? Stephy Mavidid return to England?
According to Tuttomercatoweb and the Daily Mail, the Derby-born forward is a £15 million target for West Ham, Aston Villa and Newcastle United as the transfer window enters it’s dramatic final act.
“After my loan at Charlton (in 2017), I needed to talk to the Arsenal board to understand my situation and find out what they wanted to do with me,” Mavididi explained to Allez Pallaide a few years ago, explaining why he jumped at the chance to swap his North London home for Serie A giants Juventus.
“(Arsenal) said they appreciated me, that I was a good player. But they were looking for two or three world class players in my position. It would be hard for me to be in the first-team and that they were open to a sale in case of a good offer.”
It didn’t really work out for Mavididi at Juventus.
There’s no shame in that of course. He was an unproven youngster at the time. And, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Douglas Costa, Paulo Dybala, Moise Kean and Mario Mandzukic ahead of him in the pecking order, it’s not as if Juve were short of top-class attackers either.
But since moving to Montpellier to the tune of £5 million, Mavididi has blossomed into one of the division’s most exciting young forwards. Much in the way Gnabry did across the border in Germany.
He’s scored eight goals this season already. Including a brilliant right-footed finish in Montpellier’s 3-2 victory over Monaco on Sunday.
According to The Guardian, none other than Arsenal legend Thierry Henry convinced Montpellier to take a punt on Mavididi. Should West Ham come knocking, one suspects the Frenchman would be left feeling a little conflicted.
Henry would be thrilled to see a player he coached during a brief spell in the Gunners’ academy thrive in England’s top flight at long last.
But preferably not at Arsenal’s expense.
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