Published: 4 hrs ago
ARSENE WENGER is backing Arsenal wonderkid Serge Gnabry to become a Gunners star.
German forward Gnabry, 17, has caught the eye for the club’s youth teams and made his first team debut against Coventry last month.
He is expected to be given more time on the pitch in tonight’s Capital One Cup clash at Reading.
Arsenal boss Wenger said: “He is a guy who can play in all the offensive positions.
“I think he could even play centre forward. He has a kind of efficiency in his game, and can get on the end of things.
“He has big potential, creative potential, finishing potential. Serge is 17 years old and strong for a boy of that age.
“It is difficult to compare with anyone. He is not small, he is stocky with good body balance. He glides, he is fluent.”
Andrey Arshavin could also featured against the Royals and Wenger has hailed the Russian as a true professional.
The Frenchman added: “Andrey comes in every day and practices well, he is focused and wants to do well.
“I insist on this, because it was questioned and it is completely unjustified. In this case perception is not reality.
“He is a classy player and a top professional with a great attitude.
“You could see that when he came on against QPR. His brightness and his intelligence with the final ball is fantastic.”
One player who is unlikely to start tonight is midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong who is recovering from injury.
He said: “I still don’t believe I am 100 per cent right — obviously I am playing but I don’t think I am ready for the first team yet.
“I still need two more 90-minute games for the under-21s, then I will be fine.
“Coming back from a nine-month injury, I just have to make sure that when I come back into the team, I am right and ready.
“I don’t want to push myself if I am not ready.
“Once you keep playing you build up your confidence and everything falls back into place.
“But I am sure that when the time is right and I am called upon, I will do a good job for the team.”
