Reiss Nelson is still not guaranteed a place in Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup. He has made six Premier League appearances this season, all of which have come off the bench. This limited game time may cause him to consider his options and push for a loan exit (or even a permanent exit) to gain more game time.
In an interview with RTL following the PSV vs. Arsenal 1-1 tie, the Hale End graduate was asked if he would be tempted to return to his former club Feyenoord (where he was on loan in the 2021–22 season) if they came calling and offered him a fresh start in the winter.
Nelson, in response to the question, stated unequivocally that he will not be leaving Arsenal in the near future, given that he just signed a new contract, but he acknowledged the excellent moments he had playing for Feyenoord and what an inspiration their coach Arne Slot is to him.
“Me and the coach have got a good relationship. I helped them a few years ago, and it was a great time then. It helped me develop really well. But like I said, I signed a new contract with Arsenal, and all my heart is with Arsenal right now,” he told RTL.
Nelson shone against PSV, setting up Eddie Nketiah for Arsenal to break the deadlock. He was the most lively gunner.
That was a top performance from Reiss Nelson! 💫❤️ pic.twitter.com/H3sKI3pQbx
— afcsphere (@afcsphere) December 12, 2023
With Reiss Nelson’s performance Tuesday night, I believe he should be a straight sub for either Martinelli or Saka, in the pecking order.
Every time he plays, he exudes energy. Mikel needs to have more faith in him. Arsenal cannot afford to waste his quality and watch him go on to become a superstar elsewhere. It is comforting to see Hale End graduates flourishing at the Emirates, and perhaps, after years of future success, Nelson will end up as an Arsenal legend.
Daniel O
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He’s bigger and pacier than Trossard, so he’s more suited to be Martinelli’s competitor for the LW role
Gai, RNelson in Arsenal academy started as a right full back. He will naturally be effecient both in right and left and he can score goals. He could have easily play like Walcott just not pacey like him. I think Arteta needs to start using Nelson more often to deputies for Saka while ESR deputies for Matinelli. We cant afford to allow Matinelli and Saka suffer knocks and burn out because of too many games.
Based on his performance in the RW position, he was more effective on the left wing, where he took on players more often by cutting inside
In my opinion, a conventional RW should be pacey like Adama Traore and Ismaila Sarr
Willian was more skilled than Nelson, yet his confidence was shot after a series of bad performances on the right wing due to his lack of pace
Did you watch him against PSV? How effective could he have been.
I didn’t watch the game. I heard he played well, but I don’t think he’ll be able to play RW like that against top EPL teams
He’s such an inconsistent player. I can’t see him playing four or five top class games in a row and even if he did knowing his luck he’d probably get injured after that. Truth be told I haven’t seen enough of Nelson to be able to evaluate his defensive capabilities but there are games where having White, Tomiyasu or Kiwior playing wing back simply doesn’t work. Would Reece Nelson be a possible out of the box alternative? After all Saka did ok when required.
It’s not the same type of game. PSV setup to attack so Nelson unsurprisingly got a lot of space to exploit. This issue in EPL for Arsenal are the low blocks and brutal physicality catered by the opponents. Nelson needs to find a way to neutralise that. His few previous weaknesses in decision making and intensity had improved a lot this season. So let’s see how he goes. Same as well for ESR.
Nelson doing well, means which Trossard gedemoted?
That would be a shame Trossard
Should definitely be trusted a lot more by the Manager to make an impact off the bench especially when Saka is ineffective in games.
It’s a long running problem now in the team. While the first eleven players seem to be improving, the rest rarely gets opportunities, except for injuries or suspension cases, hence can only get worse. This is one aspect in team management that Arteta is still learning. My theory is that due to the massive pressure of managing Arsenal, he prefers not to take any risks but to maintain the best combination always. It may work for a few players but then the bench will continue degrading in quality
Not good enough. Benchwarmer – or out! Arsenal need a squad like that one twenty years ago. Top players all the way. TWO startingIX!
the key is in the name foolish
I like him a lot, always rooting for him. Brilliant movement to set up Eddie for his matured and composed left footed finishg. i hope Mikel trusts him and Emile with more game time, they have what it takes to attain Martinelli,Martin and Bukayo’s heights if they can be consistent fitness wise. Yes! You quoted me right.
Finish”
We say this every year about Nelson and ESR.
If we want to be a top club. Those 2 aren’t good enough.
Plus they spend most of the time in the treatment room.
Both Nelson and ESR have confidence issues. They are a level better than their performances of late and they need to produce the level we know that they can. Maybe because of their injuries they have had they are frightened to take a risk and make more positive moves. When I watch them play against the shin kickers, they never carry the ball forward and tend just to fill the gaps and make boring sideways and backwards passes. They seem to just make up the numbers on the pitch without adding anything against tighter opponents. This maybe a confidence issue, therefore they need to be loaned out to a less aggressive league or a technical passing team where they are garrenteed a run of games to regain their confidence.
Nelson is a good player, he has shown good energy and spark off the bench, and his PSV performance impressive
but to be a regular starter someone else has drop out, i.e. Saka or Martinelli, barring injury it clear both are better than Nelson
Nelson is the perfect squad player, he accepts his role, doesn’t sulk, always ready, makes a difference on the pitch
you could view Nketiah in a similar way, he understands a successful team is a squad of 25 players, not just about being number 1
we need good players committed to the cause who accept their squad role, every successful team needs those – a team of players who sulk if they are not currently number one ultimately fails
i think that is a major reason Balogun is not with us despite an extra striker option in the squad being useful to us – he apparently did not want to be part of squad – that’s fine, but that’s why he is at Monaco and not Arsenal
We have five decent forwards, which should allow for quite a lot of rotation.
Love his attitude when he plays – always fresh and tries to make things happen. He’s underrated imo, and should be trusted to play more often.
Without reading through the Article I say, Naaaa!
No footbal brain.
Let me now see what others say after I read through the article.
Nelson needs to play more before making any judgements on him. He can replace Saka in the last 15 or 20 minutes of games to protect Saka over a long season.
Resting key players is something Arteta needs to improve on. No reason to overplay Martinelli or Saka when you have Nelson and Trossard.
I’m not saying to bench our starters, but subbing Nelson in for the last 20 minutes when we’re leading 2-0 would be fine. Protection for Saka, and Nelson has some quality in his game.
Whether he is a capable backup or not good enough, he needs opportunities to prove he is either the former or the latter.
He is a squad player, nothing more IMO. He has his moments when he looks the part, but throughout his whole career thus he has lacked consistency. That said I wish him well because he is a true Gunner.