How good can Gnabry be?

It's often easy and a very popular tact (certainly here in England) to get carried away with young talent. Dressing them up in the Emperor's new clothes, lauding them with superlatives and burdening them with a weight of expectation that is both naive and unrealistic.

That said, for the opportunities Wenger has afforded the Teddy-bear-lookalike German, you have to say he does seem to be something of a "natural". He plays without fear, intelligently, looks fairly strong for a young lad (he's only recently turned 18) and so far at least, hasn't looked out of place playing at a VERY high level!

In the wake of Walcott's unfortunate injury, to "expect" a raw-recruit such as Gnabry to take the mantle of an experienced & effective, established 1st-team, international, Premier League "star" is a heavy ask. Too much pressure? That's a call for Wenger and in that respect, there's few football men I'd trust more to make that particular call.

Gnabry doesn't possess the blistering, unique pace that Walcott is blessed with (few do), but he does seem to have an awareness, that (pardon the cliche) is difficult to teach a player, it's instinctive.

In recent times, Arsenal have been fairly spoilt with regards to having young players make the "step-up" from youth/reserve football, to the 1st-team. Notably Fabregas & Jack Wilshere were beacons of talent in that respect. Players, that in spite of their tender years, had the natural talent & instinctive guile that allowed them to perform at the very highest level. And with time & experience, they blossomed & got better & better!

Maybe it's too early to place Gnabry in that bracket? He hasn't had the benefit of consistent starts to stake a claim in that respect. With the extreme circumstances of Arsenal's injuries in the offensive third, you'd assume he'll certainly get more game-time in the coming weeks & months. It's a huge opportunity for the boy from Stuttgart, who actually turned down overtures from Manchester City, prior to signing terms with Arsenal. The player exclaiming that it was the prospect of being coached by Wenger that was eventually the deal-breaker to take him to the Emirates.

The potential is most certainly there and now the opportunity may well be too. The folly of youth can often be a gift & curse with young footballers. What Gnabry seemingly has that will stand him in good stead, aside from an obvious natural ability, is a calm head on his young shoulders, a hunger & desire & perhaps most importantly of all, a manager who excels in knowing when to give young players an opportunity & develop them "on the job"

Joel Coote

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