REISS NELSON says he will return to Arsenal from his year in Germany a bigger man.
The 19-year-old attacker cannot wait to report back for pre-season next month following his campaign on loan at Hoffenheim.
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And he believes everybody at the Emirates will be surprised by how much he has grown, emotionally and physically, during his time away.
Nelson said: “People will be shocked, 100 per cent.
“I was 17 when Arsene Wenger gave me my first Premier League start for Arsenal against Southampton and I was very immature when I was playing.
“Now I have a more mature role about me. I look to play link-up play, one v ones, and I think I am so much more mature.”
Nelson made 23 Bundesliga appearances, 18 off the bench, and scored seven times.
He said: “I not only developed as a player in Germany but also as a person.
“There were times when I wasn’t starting and I didn’t have a lot of people to talk to, just my family. It made me grow up as a person and on the pitch it showed.
“Whenever I got minutes, I’d have to take any opportunity that came my way.
“I learned so much stuff at Hoffenheim and made a lot of friends. I also made good connections with the managers. They taught me a lot that I can take on in my career.
“Leaving was difficult, but Arsenal are my team and I want to go back to Arsenal and play. The boys at Hoffenheim threw me a leaving party, which was nice.
“It was a very social club and the players used to go out together a lot. They presented me with a video and gave me a Nelson signed framed shirt as well. It was really nice.”
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YOUNG LION ROARED
Nelson snatched his chance with the England Under-21s, as they drew 3-3 with Croatia in the final group match of their European Championships on Monday.
The Young Lions could not reach the semi-finals after losing to France and Romania in their opening matches.
But Nelson, overlooked for those defeats, opened the scoring against Croatia from the spot — even though Tammy Abraham was supposed to be on penalty duty.
He explained: “I went over, grabbed the ball. Tammy is a very good friend of mine, like an older brother to me, but he let me take it in the end.
“I wanted it. I knew if I didn’t score I would get stick, but luckily I scored.
“And I knew Tammy would be OK. I am from Elephant and Castle and he’s Peckham. It’s about five or ten minutes away.
“We go to the same church as well. We are tight.
“The main thing was to seize the chance. I was on the bench the first two games and it wasn’t a nice feeling.
“I tried to go out there and prove a point. I did that. I expressed myself, 100 per cent. I played with no fear.”
The tournament in Italy was a disaster for England, though.
Nelson’s display against the Croats and the way he linked up with Manchester City’s Phil Foden were among the few positives.
Nelson said: “It’s always like that, even in training. We have that chemistry.
“Raheem Sterling is a role model to a lot of young lads coming through. He gives me little messages on Instagram, like, ‘Keep going’.
“It is good to have people like him in and around the England set-up to give you the pat on the back so that you know you are doing well and good things are coming.”
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