Germany U21 international Serge Gnabry has spoken with SID just a few days before the start of the European U21Championship in the Czech Republic. In the interview he talks about his transfer to Arsenal at such a young age, tips from World Champion Mesut Özil and his Euro ambitions.
SID: Serge Gnabry, you play for Arsenal, a big Premier League club, but you’re new with the Germany U21s. How’s it been?
Serge Gnabry: An injury at the start of 2014 set me back quite a bit, so I am quite new. It took me some time to get back into form, but now I’m glad that I can get back to attacking and show what I can do with the U21s. The boys have accepted me well and helped me to integrate quickly into the team.
Question: Can you win this European Championship?
Gnabry: I wouldn’t be here if we couldn't. We all want to win this and are working very hard towards that.
Question: Your teammate at Arsenal, Mesut Özil, won this trophy with the U21s back in 2009. Has he given you any tips?
Gnabry: Yes, we’ve spoken about it. At the time it was a huge success with a great team, and he’s told me a few stories about the tournament. He said that I should give my all, because winning a title like this is incredibly helpful for your development.
Question: Are Germany the favourites?
Gnabry: Germany are always amongst the favourites. We have a good team; most of us play in the Bundesliga or 2. Bundesliga; some of us even play abroad. Everyone here is of a good standard. When we’re on form, we are hard to beat. So we can do it.
Question: It’s also a ticket to the Olympic Games…
Gnabry: That’s also on my mind, and we all want to be a part of that experience. Jonas Reckermann and Julius Brink visited us at our training camp and spoke to us about their experiences at London 2012. It was fascinating and has motivated me even more. I would really love to be heading to Rio next year.
Question: You still haven’t made your comeback for the Arsenal first team since your injury. Are you using the Euros as a springboard?
Gnabry: The European U21 is one of the most important UEFA tournaments. Obviously I’d like to use this opportunity, but it’s also clear that this is not about individual players, but about putting the team first and winning the title for Germany.
Question: Do you plan to stay at Arsenal?
Gnabry: At the moment by contract runs until 2017. We’ll have to see after the Euros.
Question: Your career has been quite unusual so far. You moved to Arsenal when you were 16, but they made their first enquiry when you were only 15.
Gnabry: 14 in fact.
Question: Were you aware that they were scouting you?
Gnabry: There was a lot of interest from several clubs. At the time I was with Stuttgart, and there were enquiries from the Bundesliga, Italy and even England. Then Arsenal came along and I gave it a shot. I was sure I wanted to go there because I really liked it. And I figured that it would give me good chances, because many young players have already seized their opportunities to make the leap to the Arsenal first team.
Question: Your father moved with you to London. How important is he for you?
Gnabry: So important. My dad has always been by my side, he was even my coach when I was younger. He has great footballing knowledge, and when you move to another country at the age of 16, it’s good to have a family member alongside you. He has helped me so much and still lives with me.
Question: Have you replaced your school-taught English with a thick London accent?
Gnabry: In the beginning it was difficult. I received lessons at Arsenal and had an extra tutor. But when you live there for a while, speak only English and have no excuses, then you pick it up quickly.
Question: Your father played for Côte d’Ivoire, was that ever a thought for you?
Gnabry: When I was fit again in 2014 and had chances to go to the World Cup, I made a clear decision to play for Germany. I’ve played for almost all of the junior German teams, was born and raised in Germany, so it was clear to me: I want to play for Germany.
Question: And become European champion in the Czech Republic?
Gnabry: That would be the ideal scenario.
created by mmc/clm
Germany U21 international Serge Gnabry has spoken with SID just a few days before the start of the European U21Championship in the Czech Republic. In the interview he talks about his transfer to Arsenal at such a young age, tips from World Champion Mesut Özil and his Euro ambitions.
SID: Serge Gnabry, you play for Arsenal, a big Premier League club, but you’re new with the Germany U21s. How’s it been?
Serge Gnabry: An injury at the start of 2014 set me back quite a bit, so I am quite new. It took me some time to get back into form, but now I’m glad that I can get back to attacking and show what I can do with the U21s. The boys have accepted me well and helped me to integrate quickly into the team.
Question: Can you win this European Championship?
Gnabry: I wouldn’t be here if we couldn't. We all want to win this and are working very hard towards that.
Question: Your teammate at Arsenal, Mesut Özil, won this trophy with the U21s back in 2009. Has he given you any tips?
Gnabry: Yes, we’ve spoken about it. At the time it was a huge success with a great team, and he’s told me a few stories about the tournament. He said that I should give my all, because winning a title like this is incredibly helpful for your development.
Question: Are Germany the favourites?
Gnabry: Germany are always amongst the favourites. We have a good team; most of us play in the Bundesliga or 2. Bundesliga; some of us even play abroad. Everyone here is of a good standard. When we’re on form, we are hard to beat. So we can do it.
Question: It’s also a ticket to the Olympic Games…
Gnabry: That’s also on my mind, and we all want to be a part of that experience. Jonas Reckermann and Julius Brink visited us at our training camp and spoke to us about their experiences at London 2012. It was fascinating and has motivated me even more. I would really love to be heading to Rio next year.
Question: You still haven’t made your comeback for the Arsenal first team since your injury. Are you using the Euros as a springboard?
Gnabry: The European U21 is one of the most important UEFA tournaments. Obviously I’d like to use this opportunity, but it’s also clear that this is not about individual players, but about putting the team first and winning the title for Germany.
Question: Do you plan to stay at Arsenal?
Gnabry: At the moment by contract runs until 2017. We’ll have to see after the Euros.
Question: Your career has been quite unusual so far. You moved to Arsenal when you were 16, but they made their first enquiry when you were only 15.
Gnabry: 14 in fact.
Question: Were you aware that they were scouting you?
Gnabry: There was a lot of interest from several clubs. At the time I was with Stuttgart, and there were enquiries from the Bundesliga, Italy and even England. Then Arsenal came along and I gave it a shot. I was sure I wanted to go there because I really liked it. And I figured that it would give me good chances, because many young players have already seized their opportunities to make the leap to the Arsenal first team.
Question: Your father moved with you to London. How important is he for you?
Gnabry: So important. My dad has always been by my side, he was even my coach when I was younger. He has great footballing knowledge, and when you move to another country at the age of 16, it’s good to have a family member alongside you. He has helped me so much and still lives with me.
Question: Have you replaced your school-taught English with a thick London accent?
Gnabry: In the beginning it was difficult. I received lessons at Arsenal and had an extra tutor. But when you live there for a while, speak only English and have no excuses, then you pick it up quickly.
Question: Your father played for Côte d’Ivoire, was that ever a thought for you?
Gnabry: When I was fit again in 2014 and had chances to go to the World Cup, I made a clear decision to play for Germany. I’ve played for almost all of the junior German teams, was born and raised in Germany, so it was clear to me: I want to play for Germany.
Question: And become European champion in the Czech Republic?
Gnabry: That would be the ideal scenario.
