Nathan Tella
Posted in2021-2022-Season Daily News

#PLStories- Nathan Tella on former Arsenal teammate Emile Smith Rowe #SAINTSFC #ARSENALFC

December 11, 2021
NATHAN Tella is relishing the possibility of facing former club Arsenal, a side which could include some of his old teammates. The Gunners have one of the youngest squads in the Premier League, with many players having come through the youth ranks. That includes Tella's close friend Eddie Nketiah, as well as the likes of England international duo Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe. Tella himself came through the youth system at Arsenal, before being let go and linking up with Saints in 2017. And he could face his former club for the first time tomorrow, when Saints head to Emirates Stadium in the Premier League (3pm). "I can’t get too caught up in the emotions of playing against Arsenal," Tella told the Daily Echo. "At the end of the day it’s another team who are in the league and another team who are battling to pick up results. So I feel like it should just be a good game." Asked about the possibility of having some Arsenal supporting friends in the crowd on Saturday, Tella added: "It will be nice to obviously see them, but I want to see them after we’ve won so I can sort of rub it in their faces a bit! "But it will be nice to see some old faces and people who I’ve known and seen me grow up as well, so it will be good." Discussing Arsenal's young stars, Tella added: "Saka was a little bit younger than me, but Emile Smith Rowe was another one who I played with. "He was playing up quite a bit, because he’s a year younger than me. "He’s always been a very good player, now the fact he’s able to do it at Arsenal just shows what everyone would know, he’s a very good player." After a spell out the side, Tella has started the past two league games for Saints. And he is determined not to let the occasion of facing Arsenal derail his comeback into the team. "From speaking to my dad about it, we were just laughing at the possibility of the first time I'm playing at the Emirates could be for Southampton," said Tella. "It would mean a lot. "But it doesn't matter, because I can't be too focused on the event, I have to focus on the performance and what the team needs to do to get the result. "I can't get too caught up with my own emotions and my own feelings towards the game, because that will distract me. "Especially now that I have come back into the team, I don't want to do anything that would jeopardise my spot here."
England Under 21 2017
Posted in2020-2021-Season Daily News

#PLStories- #GarethSouthgate praises #EmileSmithRowe and other Arsenal youngsters ahead of Euro 2020 #ArsenalFC

March 3, 2021
Here are your Arsenal evening headlines for Tuesday, March 2. England boss Southgate praises Saka and Smith Rowe Gareth Southgate has praised two Arsenal youngsters in Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka ahead of this summer's Euro 2020. "‘Emile Smith Rowe getting his opportunity at Arsenal," Southgate told talkSPORT. "We know those kids are there and we know the talent is there, but when the buying and spending power of the clubs is greater than anything around Europe, and the pressure is on to have immediate success, it is easier to go and buy the finished product from abroad. "There was always this blockage for young English players, now they’re getting their chance. Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon8Cancel "Those two boys at Arsenal, Saka and Smith Rowe, have been a huge breath of fresh air in their team and there are more across the country if they get their opportunity." Adams undecided on Odegaard Arsenal legend Tony Adams believes the 'jury is out' on Real Madrid loan star Martin Odegaard. The Gunners signed Odegaard on loan until the end of the season towards the end of the January transfer window with Mikel Arteta short of creativity in the first half of the campaign. Odegaard was introduced teasingly, but he has started two of Arsenal's last three and he also came on in the first half as Arsenal beat Leicester City 3-1 away from home on Sunday. The Norwegian midfielder's influence has been felt with quick, smart passes aplenty, but former Arsenal defender Adams is still unsure whether Odegaard is suited to the Premier League. “The Premier League is a bit special with respect that Odegaard has come into this league,” he told Stadium Astro. Odegaard came off the bench in the first half against Leicester City (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) “Some people respond to it and can do it, some people can’t. “If you get them in on loan and go ‘let’s have a look if he can do it or not, if he can play in this league’. “I think the jury’s out. I think he’s a super player, very talented. But is the Premier League for him? Not too sure about that.” Read More Related Articles Read More Related Articles Duo make team of the week Two Arsenal players have made a Team of the Week after the weekend's win over Leicester City. BBC pundit Garth Crooks selected Luiz and Willian for his Premier League team of the week after the part they played in the 3-1 away victory. "You can't tell me the move for his goal wasn't planned," Crooks said of Luiz. "David Luiz and Willian knew exactly what they were doing. Sign up to our Arsenal newsletter for the latest transfer news By signing up for our Arsenal newsletter, you will receive a once-daily email, focused around goings-on at Emirates Stadium. You won't miss a thing when it comes to the Gunners - you'll get all you need to know directly into your inbox. We'll also send out special newsletters with any big breaking news too. And with the January transfer window now open there's plenty of content to get your teeth into. How do you sign up? It's easy and only takes seconds. Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article - or any article on the Arsenal section of football.london in fact - labelled 'Get the biggest daily stories by email' and click 'Subscribe'. And that's it, you're all set. If you decide later that you no longer wish to receive the emails, simply follow the unsubscribe link in one of the newsletters - but we don't think you'll want to. For more details, click here. "Luiz looked totally uninterested during the set-up with his hands on his hips watching events. His movement across the face of the six-yard box was excellent and matched only by his header - Arsenal's equaliser. Speaking about Willian's contribution, Crooks added: "To be out of the team for such long periods and to come back into the Arsenal side and perform so well against an in-form Leicester, and away from home, was impressive. "Willian has struggled since his arrival at Emirates Stadium, although he made my team of the week after an impressive debut against Fulham in the opening game of the season."