‘Hasn’t worked out’: £20m attacker says he actually used to dream about playing for Arsenal

Many players dream of playing for their boyhood club as they grow up.

For some, that dream can become a reality. The likes of Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all starring for their boyhood teams at the moment in the Premier League.

However, sometimes, that dream doesn’t come true and you have to forge another path in your career.

Speaking to The Athletic, Nathan Tella has been discussing how he grew up dreaming of playing for Arsenal, but, the winger admits that things haven’t quite worked out that way.

Nathan Tella dreamt of playing for Arsenal

The £20m attacker spoke about wanting to play for the Gunners.

“Going home on the train, I was thinking, ‘One day I could have the opportunity to play in the Champions League and play for Arsenal’,” Tella says.

“The Arsenal bit hasn’t worked out, but the Champions League dream is still there. So that’s what I’m aspiring to and aiming to achieve.”

Nathan Tella’s career has worked out for the best

Nathan Tella may have wanted to play for Arsenal, but there’s an argument to make that his career has worked out for the best.

Indeed, Tella has just won the double with Bayer Leverkusen, in an Invincible league campaign no less.

If Tella had ended up at Arsenal, he wouldn’t have a league winners’ medal in his collection.

Of course, Arsenal are probably better placed than Leverkusen to go on and win the Champions League in the coming years, but in terms of achievements in recent years, Tella has actually achieve more than Arsenal.

Tella was said to be shocked when he was released by Arsenal a few years ago.

Who knows? If Tella continues to improve over in Germany perhaps Arsenal could eventually come calling for the attacker.

Tella will certainly have mixed feelings if Leverkusen draw Arsenal in the Champions League this season.