Serge Gnabry: Mikel Arteta Was Always A Leader At Arsenal

Gnabry hails former teammate Arteta before Bayern host Arsenal

Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry says it is no surprise former teammate Mikel Arteta has become a successful coach at Arsenal, hailing the Gunners boss as a natural leader as the two former clubs prepare to meet in the Champions League.

Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry says it comes as no surprise that former teammate Mikel Arteta has become a successful coach, describing the Arsenal boss as a natural leader during their time together.

Gnabry, who began his club career at Arsenal, will face Arteta's side when the Gunners visit the Allianz Arena for their Champions League clash on Wednesday.

“He was certainly a leader within our team back then. He was the captain during the season we played together,” Gnabry told reporters on Tuesday.

“I remember him helping us out. He shared a lot of advice with us. He was always very approachable and open.

“That just goes to show what a kind person he is. He led the team to great success. It's not that we saw it coming, but he's clearly developed further and has done a fantastic job.”

The 31-year-old Germany international said it felt “strange” to come up against a side managed by a former teammate, adding: “It's a special match for me - playing against my former club. The club where I spent many years, I grew up there from the age of 16.”

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany is currently suffering from a virus and could miss out on a place in the dugout.

English assistant coach Aaron Danks addressed the media at Tuesday's press conference and is in line to deputise for Kompany on Wednesday, but said the occasion would carry no added personal motivation for him.

“I think it's always Bayern Munich's victory. I know Vince would be really strong on this; it's never about anybody's individual achievements, it's always about the collective, about the group,” he said.

“When you come to work with a club like Bayern Munich, you know it's much bigger than all of us.”

"𝙄𝙣 𝙖 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙝 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙝𝙤’𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙪𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢 𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙬. 𝙒𝙚 𝙙𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙗𝙞𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣."

— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) October 20, 2026

Kompany was present on the touchline for Saturday's 6-1 Bundesliga victory over RB Leipzig, but was visibly struggling to walk and did not attend the post-match press conference.

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