Home again: Bayer Leverkusen star Tella admits he's still an Arsenal fan ahead of Wednesday's friendly 

Bayer Leverkusen star Nathan Tella has admitted that he's still an Arsenal supporter ahead of the pre-season friendly between the German Bundesliga champions and Premier League club on August 7.

Tella is set to be face his boyhood club as Bayer Leverkusen take on Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening, 1800 hours kickoff.  

He was included in Arsenal's scholarship intake for the 2015-2016 season, alongside Tolaji Bola, Edward Nketiah and Joseph Willock.

The versatile winger was on the books of Arsenal for a decade before he was released in 2017 and ended up joining Southampton following a successful trial.

In his final season at the Gunners, he appeared in nine matches in the U18 Premier League and registered two goal involvements.

Wednesday's clash - Arsenal's fourth game in pre-season - is another homecoming for Tella, 970 days after the Hale End Academy graduate went the distance for Southampton as they were beaten 3-0 by the Gunners in a Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium. 

In quotes relayed by Arsenal's official website, Tella said: "Wednesday’s game definitely feels like a homecoming for me. I'm still an Arsenal fan and I always look out for Arsenal's results. The club means a lot to me.  

“Obviously, I had a few experiences here when I was at Southampton playing against Arsenal, but having an opportunity to come back here again is a really big thing for me. 

"It's a real full circle moment. I grew up here and I used to watch all the games dreaming that one day I'll be able to play here. 

"It obviously didn't work out for me at Arsenal, which hurt at the time, but every cloud has a silver lining and I’m so grateful for what Arsenal gave me as a kid."

Tella helped Bayer Leverkusen win the domestic double in his first season in Germany and also featured in the Europa League final.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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