Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry has credited his former club Arsenal for making him the player he is now, claiming they are his "favourite choice" for a potential return.
The Germany international has since been linked with a return amid uncertainty over his contract with the Bundesliga champions.
His current deal runs until 2023 and with less than 18-months remaining, Mikel Arteta is reportedly interested in a shock return for the forward.
The 26-year-old could be part of a Gunners team that have been impressive going forward, with young stars Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli all stepping up to the plate in recent weeks.
The results and league position do a lot of the talking for this youthful side, who currently sit fourth in the Premier League with plenty more to come from them further in the future.
A return to Champions League football could open up the potential to attract high profile players again, Gnabry being one potential option should he make a return.
If he were to make the move from Bayern, the winger already confirmed Arsenal would be his “favourite choice” when discussing his future with CBS Sports back in 2020.
He also discussed his journey to where he is now, stating: “To be a Champions League winner now when a couple of years back I was doubted is obviously a great thing for me.
"Of course after having struggled a lot it was difficult to pick myself up.
“The biggest thing is that self-confidence, that I knew what I was capable of. I never lost that.
"Obviously, you doubt it at some points but I never lost it.
"The second biggest point in that way is I was playing a lot, not having so many injuries, so many little things that kept me out of games.
"To just be consistent and being able to play every time, showing my performance helped me for the future. If I can play I can show what I can do."
Since his move to Bavaria, the 26-year-old has won 11 trophies, including three league titles and a Champions League in that time.
While he may have hit the heights, he still credits his time at Arsenal as a big part of his success. As quoted by FourFourTwo back in 2016, the winger told RND: “I would not have been the player I am, not without my time in England.
"There is Arsenal's playing style, for example, that I had to learn during my time there.
"And it is a given that you learn a lot and improve when you are training with great players like at Arsenal for three years. That was definitely the case with me.
"I would perhaps not have been with the national team now without my time in England."
Whether the forward’s affection for the Gunners translates to a future move remains to be seen, however it could be a match made in heaven.
With an already exciting wealth of attacking talent at Arteta’s disposal, the inclusion of Gnabry could well make the side even more threatening than they already are.
