Serge Gnabry has admitted that Arsenal did not want to let him leave this summer as he completed a move to Werder Bremen.
The youngster failed to force his way into the first-team at the Emirates and opted to move to the Bundesliga where he has been a huge hit.
Gnabry has four goals already this season and hit the headlines over the international break with a hat-trick on his full Germany debut in the 8-0 drubbing of San Marino.
The youngster’s form has left many Arsenal fans disappointed at his decision to leave but the midfielder says the club did not want to let him go.
“It was the right decision [to leave Arsenal]. Everybody who compares my development over the last four months to my time in England before that can’t come to a different conclusion,” he said via the Mirror.
“That was the main reason for the transfer – I wanted to get more playing time and it worked. Arsenal wanted to keep me, badly. But I had to look after my development.
“If a player does not perform well, a club has no sympathy and they do not want to keep him.”
Gnabry’s move does appear to have worked out well for the youngster although his club side are struggling in the Bundesliga currently, sitting in 16th place, just two points off the bottom.
The Germany international has previously paid tribute to Arsenal, insisting they made him the player he is today and has expressed gratitude for his time with the Gunners.
While Gnabry may still feel like the one that got away for many fans, competition for places remains fierce at Arsenal and there is no guarantee he would have forced his way into Wenger’s plans for this season yet.