The word ‘legend’ is bandied about too often for my liking by Arsenal fans, but every now and again we get someone like Ian Wright, Thierry Henry or Denis Bergkamp come along and they certainly have earned the right to be called one. So I’m not sure I like it when unproven youngsters out on loan gave that as one of their aims in life, although I think with young Reiss Nelson we may have the makings of a big Arsenal star of the future.
He has set his sights very high straight from the off, as he told the BBC: “Arsenal are my boyhood club,” he said. “I’ve been with them since I was eight, so that’s 10 years.
“I just want to go back there stronger because at the time I was at Arsenal I was 16, 17 and I didn’t feel confident.
“I didn’t think I was a man, but now I’m feeling stronger and I think a couple more months or even a year in Hoffenheim will make me strong and give me the belief and confidence to go back to Arsenal and do very good there.
“I want to be an Arsenal legend. And, for England, it’s the best. You can’t beat playing for your country I don’t think.”
That is a great aim but you should be careful what you say (we all remember the words of Lord Bendtner!), but I think young players should be just thinking of working harder just to get to the top. I prefer the response of Nelson’s fellow-loanee in Germany Jadon Sancho, who was asked the same question. He said: “I feel like I’m just doing my job really, I don’t really look at myself as the next big thing,” he said.
“I’m just here to do my job and I just want to play – that’s the love of the game really.
“I think if I keep this up I can go a long way, but I’ve just got to keep grounded and keep focused.”
“Right now I’m just focused on season-by-season, game-by-game. I couldn’t really tell you the future.
“But, country-wise, I hope I get more senior caps, that would be fantastic for me and my family. I’ve just got to keep on working hard and you never know what’s next.”
F**k being humble. Be a Zlatan!
Never liked Zlatan’s big mouth, but he is a proven winner
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with aiming high.
“If you don’t believe you can do it, then you stand no chance at all” -ARSENE WENGER
Sure, plus he has a very specific ambition, to be successful AT ARSENAL. Not just to be successful anywhere. I value that
It means he plans to stick by arsenal even if Barcelona etc comes calling.. That’s a good thing.
nelson is right
Does anyone think that CR9 was not aiming to be a legend!
Nothing wrong with wanting to be a legend, but he has to have the discipline for that. Sometimes Cristiano Ronaldo is arrogant, but he works hard every day and stays focused despite living in glamorous life
Sancho seems to be a humbler and a more focused one, but he is not a Gunner. Hopefully Nelson can avoid the complacency that often infects talented young players
Nelson wants to be a legend.
Bendtner thought he was a legend.
Big difference.
Off-course I am
What is wrong with wanting to be a legend?
Is it wrong to have an ambition?
i guess the OP no one should have ambitions just because all his ambitions failed
Some on here are being rather hard on a still young man because he chose to use the word “legend”. As a rather precise in language and distinctly oldie fan, I say we should be thankful that we have a “one of our own” talented young man who is ambitious to make the top at the club of his heart. That is surely praiseworthy and a perhaps rather clumsy use of “legend” is hardly something with which to jump on him. Let this humble yet ambitious kid be and cut him some slack, PLEASE! A season from now and back with us, we may well be calling him a legend in the making ourselves, at least some of us. I love his enthusiasm and commitment and from one of our own that is great to hear. Who can seriously disagree ?
Nobody SHOULD disagree JF.I am loving his confidence which should not be confused as being arrogant.It seems as though the season Loan in Germany is helping him in the transition from Youth Team to First Team and that as we know is a GIGANTIC leap for any young player.
This is a very talented young man.Its important he continues to learn his trade but also to be patient with his expectations over the next two or three seasons.He will get game times in the Cups no doubt.He will be introduced from the bench for League games.I believe Emery will insist the Lad stays grounded and humble.His time is coming and I just love the statement that he WANTS to become a legend at ARSENAL.
Having ambition isn’t the same as not being humble.
That isnt pride, its ambition. Where his mates just want to be in the first team n some just want a national team call up.. he wants the top of them all, to be like Robben,Messi,Ronaldo and be a legend for the club.
What’s left now is to back that dream up with action n create some other little targets before you get to the main target of being a legend.
First aim to score over 10 goals in Hoffenheim n be a guaranteed starter there, then if u can score 10 before the season ends aim to get 20 goals..
Then aim to start at Arsenal on your return to the club then aim for 10 plus goals at Arsenal then 20plus goals then aim to contribute (goals n assists) to 30 goals next.
Then aim to be among the best wingers in EPL then aim to be Arsenals best player then aim to be EPL best player then aim to repeat the feat in UCL n aim to win BIG trophies with Arsenal, then aim to win the UCL with Arsenal. By then you would have been an Arsenal legend without realizing it.
BDO is a bonus if you do it.
good on him, why not? hope his mentality gets reflected on the pitch!!