Arsenal starlet Reiss Nelson has explained his decision to move to the Bundesliga on loan over remaining in England.
Nelson joined Hoffenheim on a season-long loan move in the summer, after being persuaded of the switch by manager Julian Nagelsmann.
Having first signed a new long-term deal with the Gunners in August, Nelson’s decision to move to Germany was seen as a surprise by many, despite the trend of young British players moving abroad.
Jadon Sancho and Oliver Burke had both made the move to Germany in recent years, ditching Manchester City and Nottingham Forest respectively, while Ademola Lookman also moved to the Bundesliga on loan.
Nelson has already scored two goals in three Bundesliga appearances, while also having made a Champions League appearance for the
Achtzehn99.
Talking to the FA website, Nelson explained his decision to trade London for Hoffenheim, saying:
A loan wasn’t always my first option, but when I heard the Bundesliga and Hoffenheim was an option for me and working with the manager there, it was something I wanted to do.
Julian’s a great manager and he’s got belief in young players so it’s a good place for me to go and play. He’s very young, he’s only 31 and I think it’s important to go to a team and a coach who believes in you, so he was the main reason because he is willing to play us.
It was hard to leave my boyhood club Arsenal, it’s still my dream to play for Arsenal, but I know I have to put that on hold and go and play abroad to get some experience in Germany.
So I’m trying to do my stuff there, get stronger and come back ready to play for Arsenal’s first team, so I had to take the opportunity to go there.
