The Bayern winger says the Arsenal midfielder was his favourite player to play alongside after stepping out of a famed academy system in north London

Serge Gnabry has pointed to Mesut Ozil as his favourite team-mate, adding that it was “amazing” to play alongside the Arsenal midfielder.

Gnabry was on the books at Arsenal from 2011-16, while fellow German Ozil made the move to London to join the club in 2013 after a three-year stint with Real Madrid.

Ozil’s future with Arsenal, however, remains a mystery as he has regularly been confined to the bench under current Gunners manager Unai Emery.

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Gnabry, however, has been quick to talk up his former team-mate’s quality and put him ahead of some other highly-regarded players he has played alongside in his career at Arsenal, Werder Bremen, Hoffenheim and Bayern.

“I’ve already played with many good guys. But, if I have to highlight one, I take Mesut Ozil,” Gnabry told Goal.

“The kind of quality I have seen in his training and in the games at that time was amazing.”

Another team-mate that Gnabry has got on well with is Joshua Kimmich, who has a unique combination of humour and ambition, according to the Bayern winger.

“He has a great sense of humour that is contagious,” Gnabry said of the Bayern full-back.

“He is also extremely ambitious. Not only in the game, also in everyday life. We have known each other since we were 12 years old and played together in the youth of Stuttgart.

“We are good friends. That we are playing together is just great.”

Gnabry is one of several stars representing the new generation of Bayern as players like Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery move closer to their final days with the club.

In their stead, Gnabry, Alphonso Davies and Kingsley Coman look set to become the club’s standout wingers more young players are ushered into the fold.

Gnabry has made 26 appearances, scoring seven goals, in his first season as a regular at the Allianz Arena and has great respect for players like Robben and Ribery who have helped to deliver a remarkable era of success with Bayern.

“The respect is definitely there, especially off the field,” he said.

“On the pitch, Franck and Arjen give their best as I do, Kingsley Coman or Alphonso Davies. They also help us with their experience. This is important for young players.

“In the end, it’s up to the coach who plays on the weekend. Of course you can see why Franck and Arjen have been at this level for so long and have developed the club.”