Mikel Arteta keen on Arsenal signing "brave" star as Sadio Mane edges toward Liverpool exit

As reports of Serge Gnabry's potential return to Arsenal continue, old comments from Gunners boss Mikel Arteta show precisely why he may be seeking a reunion at the Emirates.

The Germany international started his senior career in the red half of North London and initially impressed, but ultimately failed to kick on and cement his status as a first-team regular. After mixed spells elsewhere, Gnabry eventually ended up at Bayern Munich where he has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell in Bavaria.

That's not to suggest his time at Arsenal was a failure. The winger's first Premier League start saw him thrown in at the deep end as a late inclusion to the starting eleven after Theo Walcott fell ill shortly before kick-off at home to Stoke City. After one particularly positive display against fierce rivals Tottenham, Arteta, then playing alongside Gnabry, sung his praises to Arsenal's in-house media.

"I think he's got a lot of quality," Arteta said. "He's got something not many players have in this team, which is pace and skill to go and beat people. That's why the manager played him - three up front is something that helps us be more incisive."

The Spaniard continued to wax lyrical, with comments that, these years later, may well identify why Arteta is said to be so keen on the idea of overseeing Gnabry's return.

"We want to go behind [the opponents] and get into one versus one situations. Gnabry is very good like that and I'm very pleased for him because I think he did really well.

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