Gnabry "still has Arsenal in him" as Real Madrid hand Arteta transfer boost

Serge Gnabry has been told by a fellow former Gunners forward that he "still has Arsenal in him" as reports continue to circulate over a potential second stint at the Emirates.

The current Bayern Munich sensation saw his senior career begin in North London after joining the Arsenal academy in 2011 before forcing his way into the first-team fold just a year later under the reign of Arsene Wenger. Things didn't play out exactly as planned and while Gnabry showed glimpses of his sensational talent with the Gunners, he soon left for pastures new.

The circumstances surrounding his Arsenal exit remain a divisive topic to this day. Some sections of the Gunners faithful blamed the club hierarchy for being too quick to cut ties with the youngster, while others claim it was Gnabry who tried to force through his own departure.

However, the facts remain that Gnabry's career has gone from strength to strength since leaving Arsenal and he has now reached the status of one of European football's most explosive wide-forwards with a keen eye for goal.

The 26-year-old has lifted every club honour possible to him while playing his trade in Munich, meaning rumours currently doing the rounds of his imminent Bayern exit come as somewhat of a surprise.

The talk stems from reports that Gnabry's contractual demands have been deemed excessive by the Bayern hierarchy, who are in turn willing to see him leave instead of forking out the astronomical wages he is allegedly asking for.

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This has put a whole host of clubs on high alert as the prospect of signing Gnabry at a cheaper fee than normal is one too exciting for many to turn down. The Germany international has just one year left to run on his current deal, meaning this summer presents Bayern with their last chance to try and generate any kind of cash for his services.

Ex-Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell believes Gnabry coming back to the Gunners would feel like he has never even been away. Speaking to Football Insider, the former Premier League star listed plenty of reasons why it is a deal Mikel Arteta should make happen.

"He is obviously a player Arteta admires. He knows his qualities and likes him as a player," Campbell explained. "The likes of Gnabry would fit in seamlessly. He knows the club. It would be the second coming but he knows the club.

"It is not as if it would be all new to him. That part of it is really important. You want new signings to hit the ground running. You would not have to worry about that with Gnabry.

"There is definite legs in it because Gnabry still has Arsenal in him. If the opportunity arises… Wow. He is quality." Many have cast doubt over Arsenal's hopes of signing a player who was once their own due to the lack of Champions League football on offer.

With that being said, the main two clubs that have been linked with Gnabry's signature have been Real Madrid and Arsenal. At first glance, it seems like an easy decision given Los Blancos only lifted the biggest trophy in club football a mere matter of weeks ago.

The decision-making process is likely to have been derailed slightly by the fact Real Madrid are rumoured to have withdrawn their interest in Gnabry. Spanish outlet Marca claim Carlo Ancelotti views the winger as unnecessary signing as his side is already well-stocked in that department.

In turn, it could open the door for Arsenal to pitch their long-term vision to Gnabry would almost certainly be the star of the show if he were to return. Bayern's honorary president Uli Hoeness confessed that the Bundesliga champions have offered Gnabry a "great" contract offer.

If Arsenal are to stand any chance of signing the 26-year-old star, they will have to put up the cash this summer. It seems even more unlikely that the Gunners will be the club chosen by Gnabry in 12 months time if he is available on a free and even more European titans are circling.