Serge, you’re back in action after several months out injured. How are you feeling at the moment?
“I’m getting in better and better shape. I’ve only been back in team training for a few weeks and I’m obviously pleased that I’ve been given some game time again right away and also score. My fitness level is generally good, but of course I’m still lacking a bit of match practice to play for 90 minutes over several weeks.”
So, are you well on your way back to your best?
“It’s been a difficult season for me so far. I had two injuries one after the other, which meant I was out for a long time. My teammates have also given me fantastic support and positive feedback. Now it’s all about the daily work, about giving everything in every training session to get in even better shape one step at a time.”
In the summer of 2011, you moved from VfB Stuttgart’s youth setup to Arsenal, where you made your Premier League debut at the age of 17. Now you’ll come up against your former club for the first time with FC Bayern.
“I’m really looking forward to it. During the draw, I said it was bound to happen. I’m extremely happy to be going there again after almost eight years.”
At Arsenal, you became the youngest German player in Champions League history at the time, but you were also loaned out to West Brom. How do you look back on your time there?
“That time had a huge impact on me. Daring to leave my familiar surroundings at 16 was a huge step, both on a personal and footballing level. Playing for a club like Arsenal was a great privilege at the time. Of course there were ups and downs, but I enjoyed my time there and got to know a lot of fantastic people. In the end, it was the right decision.”
You came on as a sub for Mikel Arteta in the 1-1 draw in Munich in the second leg of the 2014 round of 16 tie. Now the Spaniard is the Gunners’ head coach. How did you find him as a teammate?
“He’s now fully absorbed in his role as coach and thinks very strategically. In my time, he was already an experienced player. He was the captain, a leader who spoke to everyone and communicated a lot. He was very helpful to us as young players back then. He built us up, always gave us good tips, always tried to guide us so that we stayed focused and gave everything.”
Back then, you were in the Arsenal squad with the fellow Germans Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski and Mesut Özil. Mertesacker in particular, who is currently head of youth development at Arsenal, was a mentor to you at the time. Have you already spoken to each other about the draw?
“We haven’t been in touch since the draw, but I did visit him a few months ago. I’m sure we’ll see each other again at the game. I’m looking forward to meeting the people I know there from the backroom staff and the club. But of course the main thing is that we want to win there.”
Arsenal are battling for the Premier League title with Manchester City and Liverpool, and currently top of the table. How strong do you think the current team featuring Kai Havertz & Co. is?
“Arsenal have been on a very good run since Christmas. In any case, you can’t really say anything bad about a team that’s competing for the Premier League title. They’re strong, good finishers and are keen on having possession. They’re formidable in their own stadium with their fans behind them. It will be a difficult task, with two strong teams coming up against each other.”
After the draw, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen commented that this was no longer the Gunners, who FC Bayern had beaten 5-1 three times in a row. Who do you think are favourites?
“Arsenal have had what it takes to play at the top again for a long time. The team has a certain flair and exudes strength. The odds are probably 50-50.”
London is not only a special place for you because of your past there, but also because you like scoring there in the Champions League. Does that whet your appetite even more for the game?
“You tend to think less about statistics like that. I try to concentrate on the game and my performance. Of course, it’s somewhere in the back of my mind and there’s a positive feeling, but ultimately every game has to be played from scratch.”
Have you ever spoken to Harry Kane about your four-goal haul against Tottenham Hotspur? He was on the other side.
(Laughs) “I vaguely referred to it once, but you don’t need to rub anyone’s nose in something like that. And now it’s his turn. He should score as many goals as he can. Then we’ll win the game.”
Why will FC Bayern reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since the 2019/20 treble season?
“It’s a do-or-die game – that’s where we’re usually particularly strong. Reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League would give us a huge boost. It’s our big goal.”
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