"Still a way to go": Arne Wessels on his start in the Regionalliga | OneFootball

In the Oberliga, he tore up the nets. For Spvg Schonnebeck, Arne Wessels scored no less than 34 goals in 30 appearances during the 2024/25 season. He also provided 17 assists. His stats caught the attention of the officials at Borussia Dortmund. However, the 20-year-old striker first had to get used to the Regionalliga.

“Arne had offers from other clubs due to his impressive scoring record, but he quickly decided in our favor because we were able to convince him of our path,” said Ingo Preuß (67), sporting director of BVB’s U23, when Wessels was signed in December 2024. He finished the season at Schonnebeck, helping the Essen district club secure the runner-up spot in the Oberliga Niederrhein.

Since last summer, Wessels has been playing for the Black and Yellows’ second team. Through brief appearances, he acclimatized to the higher league. Last Saturday (November 22), Wessels managed both a goal and an assist in the 5-3 thriller against 1. FC Köln II. In the standings, the team relegated from the third division moved up to sixth place.

“I am very, very happy,” the 20-year-old told Reviersport. “Especially because it was a game with lots of ups and downs. It was a back and forth between leading and equalizing. That makes you twice as happy to leave the pitch as the winner in the end.”

Difficult Start

In the summer, not only did Wessels have to get used to a new league, but so did BVB’s U23. The start was rather bumpy, with three losses and two wins from the first seven matches. But of the following nine games, the Black and Yellows lost only one (1-2 against Bocholt).

“I’m slowly starting to see things coming together and making progress,” the Essen native sums up his first interim conclusion. “Step by step, it’s moving forward.” Wessels dares to look ahead: “I’ll keep going just like I have in recent weeks. I still have a bit ahead of me. A lot of hard work.”

Next Sunday (November 30, 1 p.m.), Wessels will have another chance to make a name for himself in the match against 16th-placed SC Wiedenbrück.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.