Mikel Arteta has told Football London that Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson has improved greatly in the last month, but he still needs to work on his defending.
Nelson was handed a rare start for Arsenal last night, as they cruised to success in the Europa League against Molde.
Nelson scored Arsenal’s second goal of the evening, and he was a threat all night – as the Norwegian side’s defence could not deal with him.
The calls for Nelson to start at Arsenal from supporters are now only growing louder.
And Arteta admits that he feels that the winger has shown great improvement in recent times.
“He’s made some big steps in the last month or so,” Arteta said.
“He’s shown what he can do. He’s another player who wants to take on all the time. He’s very vertical. He’s a great player who runs in behind. He’s very unpredictable. I really like these types of players to play in winger positions.
“Defensively there are things he needs to do better but he will improve that but he’s a much more mature player.
“He showed a great attitude to say he didn’t want to leave on loan because he believes he’s got a chance to play for this football club and he’s showing that he wants to take that direction. He’s performing in the right way.
“He’s so good. He’s asking for more all the time. He’s asking for individual meetings. He wants to work on the pitch in certain aspects we believe he can improve. He’s training really well, physically he’s developing as well.”
When Arteta first took over at Arsenal he spoke very positively about Nelson, but chances have become harder and harder to come by for the England youth international.
With Willian arriving in the summer, Nelson was knocked down the pecking order even further.
However, Willian has hardly made the attacking slot his own, and with Nicolas Pepe now suspended for three games, Nelson could well come into Arteta’s thinking to start in the Premier League.
Arsenal clearly need an attacking spark, ahead of their next game which comes against Wolves.
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