Bayer Leverkusen’s Tella Reflects on Heartbreaking Arsenal Exit After 10 Years

• Nathan Tella felt shattered after his abrupt exit from Arsenal
• The Nigerian winger spent 10 years in the Gunners academy
• Tella won the Bundesliga in his first season with Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen winger, Nathan Tella, still feels disappointed at how his Arsenal career ended after spending his formative years with the Premier League giants.

The newly crowned Bundesliga winner joined the Gunners at age six but failed to make the cut to the senior team after 10 years at the North London club.

According to the Daily Post, Tella, who was also rejected by Reading and Norwich City after leaving Arsenal, disclosed that he could not believe it when his time with the Gunners was up.

“I couldn’t believe it; Arsenal was all I knew from the age of six when I got scouted. 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.

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“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.”

Tella would finally get a chance with Southampton before joining Burnley on loan where he spent the 2022/23 season before joining Bayer Leverkusen last summer.

Tella delighted with Bundesliga victory

Meanwhile, Tella expressed his joy of becoming a Bundesliga champion after playing a key role for Bayer Leverkusen as they emerged German champions for the first time in 120 years, Soccernet reports.

The Nigerian winger claims winning the league in Germany was special not just for him alone, but also for the club who have never been crowned as league champions in their history.

Tella also cautioned his team to stay focused as they hope to continue their unbeaten run while remaining cautious of the club’s next games.

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Xhaka praises Tella and Boniface

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Granit Xhaka was full of praise for Bayer Leverkusen Nigerian stars Tella and Victor Boniface after the club secured its first-ever Bundesliga title.

The former Arsenal midfielder, brimming with excitement, emphasized the impact that the Super Eagles duo has had on Leverkusen’s title charge.

The Nigerian pair have undeniably been instrumental to the team's success, with Boniface amassing 11 goals and eight assists in the Bundesliga, and Tella, who has often played out of position as a wing-back, notching five goals and two assists.