Why Serge Gnabry deserves his new deal

Gnabry's time at Bayern has been nothing short of prolific.

Since debuting for the record champions at the start of 2018/19 - fresh off a successful loan spell under current Bayern head coach Julian Nagelsmann at Hoffenheim - the 27-year-old has produced 64 goals and 40 assists in 171 competitive appearances.

On average, that equates to a direct hand in 26 goals per season, and puts him third for goal involvement among his Bayern teammates across the last four campaigns. Only Robert Lewandowski (193 goals and 39 assists) and Thomas Müller (52 goals and 85 assists) have posted superior numbers.

Watch: All of Serge Gnabry's Bundesliga goals and assists in 2021/22

The only player not named Lewandowski to reach double figures for goals in four straight seasons of Bundesliga football - and the the division's top-scoring German national in 2021/22 - Gnabry's electric performances have translated into silverware.

As well as four successive Bundesliga titles, Bayern have lifted the UEFA Champions League, two DFB Cups, two DFL Supercups, the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup with Gnabry on board.

He was also named Bayern's 2018/19 Player of the Season, and earned a place in the 2019/20 Bundesliga Team of the Season, having claimed the monthly award for October, as well as a handful of further nominations.

"I thought a lot about what I want as a player in the coming years, and came to the conclusion that I want to stay at FC Bayern, win everything again here and experience things - in particular celebrating another Champions League title, but this time with our fans," Gnabry told the Bayern website.

"It's special because I get to play here with my friends at the highest level. It certainly wouldn't feel the same at a different club. I want to experience more great moments here - and nowhere else. The hunger for major honours isn't going away."

In four years at Bayern, Gnabry has become the decorated "star" he was always destined to be, as per his former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

Tony Pulis's October 2015 verdict that the Bayern man "wasn't at the level" required for the West Bromwich Albion first team - Gnabry spent a short loan spell at the English club before switching from Arsenal to Werder Bremen in 2016 - will live in infamy.

"Serge came to Munich at the age of 22 and has grown into a Champions League winner and international here," said Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn upon confirmation of Gnabry's extension, underlining his explosive development in the Bavarian capital.

"With his spectacular style of play, Serge Gnabry is a player who fans come to watch. We're glad that he's extended his contact and look forward to him continuing to be an important part of our team."

Gnabry isn't just one of the go-to guys on the Bayern books. He's also developed into a Germany stalwart - his country's top scorer of the post-2018 FIFA World Cup cycle no less, with 17 goals in his last 27 international appearances.

For Bayern, Gnabry has played in his customary right- and left-wing roles, and as a right-wing-back. For Germany, he's even done the business as a central striker, prompting a "world-class player" projection from Germany and ex-Bayern coach Hansi Flick.

Given the VfB Stuttgart academy product's striking numbers to date, coupled with the fact his peak years are still to come, Gnabry can be expected to reach that level. And Bayern know it.

Chris Mayer-Lodge