Arsene Wenger desperate to keep hold of Serge Gnabry

Arsene Wenger has admitted that he is hoping to tie midfielder Serge Gnabry to a long-term deal at Arsenal.

The 21-year-old is wanted by a number of clubs after failing to break into the Gunners' first-team ranks, including Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin.

Gnabry has been restricted to just nine starts and nine substitute appearances for Arsenal in all competitions, leading to criticism from Germany Olympic football coach Horst Hrubesch who recently claimed that he was "annoyed" by the North London outfit's lack of faith in the youngster.

Wenger believes that it is "important" Gnabry remains at the Emirates Stadium for the long term, however, having been shipped out on loan to West Bromwich Albion last season where he was given a total of 12 minutes' playing time.

"I want to keep Serge and to extend his contract," the Frenchman told reporters. "We stood by him for a long time. He went to West Brom and didn't get a game, and we had to to rebuild his confidence when he came back.

"I allowed him go to Rio without playing for us at all, to get him back to competition and help Germany. He has been here for a long time and it is important for him to stay with us."

Gnabry joined Arsenal's youth ranks in 2011 and was handed his professional debut the following year in a League Cup meeting with Coventry City.

Written by
Daniel Lewis