Gnabry quits Arsenal for Bremen

Arsenal’s German winger Serge Gnabry completed his transfer to the Bundesliga on Wednesday, joining Werder Bremen in a bid to get more first-team football.

The 21-year-old, who won a silver medal at the Rio Olympics when Germany lost the gold medal match to Brazil, completed a medical before posing with his new Bremen shirt during his unveiling.

German league champions Bayern Munich were also reportedly interested in signing Gnabry, who played all six matches for Germany in Rio but spent last season on loan at West Bromwich Albion following spells with the Gunners’ Under-21 side.

“It was important for me to come to a club who could give me the prospect of regular matches,” said Gnabry, who made three Champions League appearances for Arsenal and just 11 Premier League appearances since his senior debut in 2012.

“The bosses at Bremen worked very hard for me and I am sure we can make things happen here.”

No details of the length of the contract have been announced, but the transfer is expected to cost Bremen between five and six million euros ($5.5m-$6.6m).

The Germany Under-21 forward has been brought in as cover for Bremen striker Max Kruse, who is out for the foreseeable future with a knee injury.

“He (Gnabry) is a very young player, who showed at the Olympics what skills he has, how quick he is and how dangerous he is in front of goal,” said Bremen coach Viktor Skripnik.

“I am convinced that with some matches under his belt he will show his full potential in the Bundesliga.”

It means a return to Germany for Gnabry, who joined the Gunners in 2011 from the academy of VfB Stuttgart, the city where he was born.

Bremen badly need reinforcements after a 6-0 drubbing at defending champions Bayern Munich last Friday, on the opening weekend of the new Bundesliga season.

The hammering came less than a week after their shock German Cup defeat at third-division Sportfreunde Lotte.