In the upcoming friendly match between Leverkusen and Arsenal on August 8 at 1:00 a.m. BST, Leverkusen striker Nathan Tella will return to the place where his dream came true - Arsenal's Emirates Stadium. Ahead of the match, Tella spoke to Arsenal officials, sharing his anticipation for this return, his nostalgia for his past youth training at Arsenal, and his outlook for the future.
Tera began by expressing his deep anticipation for his return to the Emirates Stadium, describing it as "definitely like coming home". As a member of Arsenal's youth academy, Tranquillo has a deep affection for the club. He revealed that he always follows the results of Arsenal matches and that the club means a lot to him. In particular, he mentioned that although he had the opportunity to play against Arsenal during his time at Southampton, this return to the Emirates was a truly fulfilling moment for him, as this is where he grew up and where his dreams took off.
Tela was full of emotion when he recalled his days in the Arsenal youth set-up. He mentions that he played alongside a host of talented teammates such as Nketiah, Josh Da Silva, Willock and Nelsen, at a time when the Arsenal youth team was considered one of the most talented age groups. Terra is grateful for that time, crediting his valuable youth career under the guidance of great coaches and the deep friendships he developed with his teammates.
However, Tela also spoke candidly about the tough time he had when he left Arsenal at the age of 17 after failing to secure a professional contract. He stated that it was a very tough time for him as Arsenal was the club he had been a part of since he was seven years old and all his friends and dreams were tied to it. But Tera didn't give up and told himself that he had to work twice as hard and prove himself elsewhere. Eventually, Southampton gave him the opportunity he needed, and Tella was able to establish himself in the Premier League with his hard work.
For young players who are also experiencing setbacks in their careers, Tela gave positive advice. He encourages people not to let negative moments affect their careers, but rather to see them as motivation to move forward. According to Terra, staying optimistic, believing in yourself and constantly working hard is the key to overcoming adversity. Using his own experience as an example, he emphasized that with perseverance, it is possible to achieve one's dreams.
Furthermore, Tela spoke about the exchange with Leverkusen teammate Zaka. He praised Zaka as a great leader and player who has made a positive impact on the team from day one. Tela said that under the guidance of Xavi Alonso, he has learned a lot about how to control the game, break through opponents' defenses and launch counterattacks. He expects the match against Arsenal to show Leverkusen's strength and progress.
Finally, Tela expressed his anticipation for the upcoming friendlies. He said that regardless of the outcome of the match, being able to return to play at the Emirates Stadium would be a fulfillment of his childhood dream. Terra can't wait to compete with his Arsenal teammates and is looking forward to showing his best form in the match.
