**Bayern Munich’s Serge Gnabry says Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was a big help to him early on in his career.**
Gnabry shared a dressing room with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta while they were both players under Arsene Wenger in north London.
“It’s always a special match against a former club,” Gnabry said. “Especially a club where I spent a lot of years at and where I grew up and I’m really looking forward to it.
“We last played at the Emirates, now I’m looking forward to it in front of our fans.
“It’s always a bit weird to play against a coach you used to play alongside yourself. He’s doing a fantastic job and obviously won the title last season. We want to come out on top; I’m looking forward to the match.
“He was a great leader in our team back then. He helped me, Hector \[Bellerin\] and the other young players, he talked to us and always had an open ear for us, which shows what kind of a person he is.”
Gnabry is currently working his way back to full fitness after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, the result of an adductor injury sustained in April.
“I’m delighted to be back in action now after a long spell on the sidelines. I’m grateful for every minute I get. I need the playing time to get back into shape. I’m happy when I play, but the main thing is that we win as a team.
“It takes a bit of time to get back into the swing of things. Game time is, of course, crucial. The most important thing is that I don’t suffer a setback; everything else will fall into place.”
He is yet to start a game for Bayern this season but is in line to be in the starting 11 on Wednesday with both Michael Olise and Jamal Musiala unavailable for the German champions.