Wenger’s favourite midfielder leaves Arsenal

Midfielder Jeff Reine-Adelaide confirmed yesterday that he has left Arsenal to join Angers.

Reine-Adelaide joined Arsenal in 2015 but all his appearances have come up in cup competitions. The 20-year-old was loaned out to Angers for the second half of last season, and a total of seven starts and three substitute outings were made in Ligue 1.

Jeff returned to the Gunners after the conclusion of his loan spell due to the arrival of new boss Unai Emery, but it was decided that the player did not feature in the manager’s first-team plans.

“Hello Arsenal fans, I am leaving Arsenal FC. I have made friends at Arsenal, but most importantly, I would like to dedicate this to Arsenal fans who have always supported me. I have the opportunity to show you what I can do on the pitch. You Gunners will always stay in my heart !” he tweeted.

Hello Arsenal fans,
I am leaving Arsenal FC. I have made friends at Arsenal, but most importantly, I would like to dedicate this to Arsenal fans who have always supported me. I have the opportunity to show you what I can do on the pitch. You Gunners will always stay in my heart ! pic.twitter.com/HXGFwUgI2v

— Jeff Reine-Adélaïde (@jreineadelaide) July 26, 2018

He was born in Champigny-sur-Marne, Reine-Adélaïde started his career with RC Lens where he played for the club’s youth and reserve sides. He made his first-team debut for Racing Club as an unused substitute on 18 April 2015 against Metz. Lens lost the match 3–1. After the season, Reine-Adélaïde signed for Arsenal of the Premier League in England. He made his start for the 2015–16 season in the Emirates Cup against Lyon in which his performance was praised by supporters and pundits.

He made his professional debut for Arsenal on 9 January 2016 against Sunderland in the FA Cup, coming on as an 81st-minute substitute for Joel Campbell in a 3–1 win at the Emirates Stadium.

Reine-Adélaïde played for Arsenal in their victorious U21 Premier League’s play off final of 2016. Also held at the Emirates, this win thus earned the Gooners promotion to the U21 league’s first division.

Adelaide made six appearances for the club’s first team during the 2016–17 season, with the last of those caps coming in Arsenal’s FA Cup quarter-final win against Sutton United. After he featured against Reading for Arsenal’s U23s, Adelaide picked up an injury which thus sidelined him for the rest of the season.

Adélaïde joined French Ligue 1 side Angers SCO on loan for the rest of the 2017–18 season on 31 January 2018. He made his Angers debut as a sub in a 4–0 loss to AS Monaco on 10 February 2018. On 26 July 2018, Angers bought him outright on a four year contract.