Share
By Peter Akinbo
Former Arsenal youth product Nathan Tella says he was embarrassed when the club released him, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Tella helped Bayer Leverkusen clinch their first ever Bundesliga title this season, but he hinted that after spending over a decade in Arsenal’s academy from 2007, he was not offered a professional contract by the Gunners in 2017.
Reflecting on his departure from Arsenal in a conversation with VAVEL in 2022, Tella admitted feeling embarrassed, saying, “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. I spoke to my family, I spoke to my agent they said it’s best to go on trials to see what I can do and get out of my comfort zone.”
On the difficulty of leaving Arsenal, he added, “It was tough because I didn’t know what I wanted to do.”
Tella was part of the same group as Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson but didn’t make the cut in north London and was subsequently let go. Initially chosen over Brooklyn Beckham for a scholarship contract in 2015, Tella struggled to secure a regular starting position for the U23s due to stiff competition in wide areas.
Upon learning that he would not be retained, Tella made the decision to join Southampton and their renowned academy, aiming to follow in the footsteps of successful graduates such as Gareth Bale and Adam Lallana.
Three years after moving to Southampton, Tella made his first-team debut for the club in a Premier League victory against Norwich.
The right-winger quickly became a regular starter for the Saints, signed a new contract, and then spent last season on loan at Burnley, helping them secure the Championship title with an impressive goal-scoring record, notching 17 goals and bagging five assists.
Due to his success at Burnley, Leverkusen, under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, swooped in and secured Tella’s services for a reported £20m. Since joining the German champions, the 24-year-old has become a reliable option off the bench, contributing six goals to their unbeaten Bundesliga campaign and helping them clinch their first league title.
He also enjoyed a run in the starting line-up in the winter, putting in remarkable performances between December to March while compatriot Victor Boniface was injured.
Leverkusen are still on the hunt for a historic treble after reaching the Europa League semi-finals and the final of the DFB Pokal.
