Super Eagles Winger, Nathan Tella, has opened up about his departure from Arsenal and the disappointment of leaving the North London club after a decade-long.
Released in 2017 due to not meeting the required standards, Tella also faced rejection from Reading and Norwich City before finding an opportunity at Southampton.
“The rejection was tough because I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Arsenal was all I knew from the age of six when I got scouted,” Tella shared in an interview.
“It was tough because I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Maybe stay at Arsenal, try force their hand and make another decision, or if I was to go out on trials.”
The 24-year-old’s journey took a turn when he spent last season on loan at Burnley before eventually being sold to Bayer Leverkusen, the newly crowned Bundesliga champions.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Tella reflected on his departure from Arsenal. “Arsenal was all I knew from the age of six when I got scouted.”
Tella described the disappointment he got when departing Arsenal because the club had been his home since the age of six when he was scouted.
The decision to leave was challenging, prompting him to consider various options, including staying at Arsenal to try to change their decision or exploring trials elsewhere. With the support of his family and agent.
“It was tough because I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Maybe stay at Arsenal, try force their hand and make another decision, or if I was to go out on trials,” Tella shared.
“I spoke to my family, I spoke to my agent and they said it’s best to go on trials to see what I can do and get out of my comfort zone.”