Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac has claimed that taking a 'step back' from Arsenal has helped Serge Gnabry become the player that he is today.
The 24-year-old was at Arsenal for four years, between the years of 2011 and 2016. He made just 18 first team appearances for the Gunners, scoring one goal.
Gnabry was sent out on loan to West Bromwich Albion for the 2016/16 season, but was sent back early by the Baggies after making just three appearances for Tony Pulis' men.
The winger left Arsenal in in 2015 to sign for German club Werder Bremnan and has since played for Hoffenheim, before making the move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in 2018.
Gnabry has impressed in his first season with the German Champions, being voted as the club's player of the season after scoring 10 goals and providing seven assists in his debut campaign for the club.
His manager Kovac has admitted that moving from Arsenal was good for Gnabry's career.
“It is hard for young players, he was young when he went to the UK, England to play for Arsenal and it is a strong league so for any young player it is difficult to prevail and to make it in such a strong league but this is what you have to go through," he said, as reported by the Mirror .
“I think he has had a positive development. Everyone can see that. But sometimes for younger players it is better first to do a step back, going to Bremen and then Hoffenheim and then to us, than to do two steps ahead.
“To be stronger, return even stronger and this is I think a normal process of a young player, what he should go through but we can see he has had a great development and he has increased and has been showing great performances since then.”
Arsenal will come up against Gnabry when they face Bayern Munich in the International Champions Cup match in the early hours of Thursday morning.
