With the disappointing news of Theo Walcott’s lengthy lay-off with an abdomen injury keeping him out until next month, comes the emergence of his young replacement who struck the Gunners to victory in yesterday’s game with Swansea.

Serge Gnabry, Arsenal’s 18-year-old German, has started in Arsene Wenger’s last 3 games in all competitions, winning on all three occasions.

Grasping the chance

With the squad roster depleted in wide positions down to the injuries to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lukas Podolski and now Walcott, Gnabry was given his first chance in the side last week against Stoke after the English midfielder complained of a stomach injury during the warm-up.

Gnabry subsequently filled in on the right wing and produced a fine 73-minute display before being replaced by Ryo Miyaichi to a grateful ovation.

He starred in a second-string Arsenal side which brushed past West Brom on penalties – and although Gnabry was the only Gunner to see his effort saved from the spot, the youngster produced a professional display worthy of unending praise.

However undoubtedly his best performance was this weekend against Swansea. Capped off with his first Premier League goal after slick movement from Aaron Ramsey, Gnabry filled in the “Walcott role” excellently and worked tirelessly in his 72-minute spell before Mikel Arteta returned to the top flight.

Gnabry has until the Norwich game next month, pinpointed as the game in which Walcott could make his return from the injury which needed surgery in Germany, to prove himself as someone who can stamp his name firmly on the teamsheet.

In a midfield currently packed with stars like Ozil, Cazorla and Wilshere, Gnabry has to take his opportunity now before the likes of the Spaniard and two Englishmen return.  His confident finish against Swansea is a sign of things to come from the German.

High praise

Arsene Wenger has not held back in his personal praise of the boy:

"To play in the Premier League today is very seldom for a young boy who is 18 years old," said Wenger.

"But he has the body to cope with the duels and he is ready to do that.”

"We have some other boys who have the technical quality to play in the Premier League but are not resistant enough yet to compete physically, but he has that."

With Napoli up next, but Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky both pushing for returns, Gnabry will need to keep up his current form if he is to make the breakthrough into the Arsenal clique.

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