According to The Athletic, Mikel Arteta has given Reiss Nelson assurances that he’s going to get the chance to prove himself once he returns from injury.
It looked for all the world like Nelson’s time at the Emirates would come to an end this summer. He’s been shipped out on numerous loan spells previously and as he entered the final year of his contract, this looked to be the Gunners’ last chance to cash in on the winger.
Arsenal were of course in the market for a new wide attacker this summer with bids for Raphinha rejected and a long pursuit of Pedro Neto coming to a dead end, so it looked like Nelson would fall even further down the pecking order at the Emirates this summer.
However, with Arsenal failing to secure a new winger, Nelson is going to be given the chance to prove himself, and there’s every reason to believe he could make an impact in north London.
Indeed, Ian Wright was incredibly impressed by Nelson in pre-season stating that the winger looked as though he had a ‘new lease of life’ during the summer months, and if he can carry that sort of form over to the senior team in competitive games, he could become a rotation option for Arteta.
Let’s not forget, there is a very talented player within Nelson. The winger did grab seven goals in 23 Bundesliga appearances for Hoffenheim a few seasons ago, so if he can rediscover that sort of goalscoring touch he could be a real asset for Arsenal for the upcoming season.
Don’t be surprised if there’s something of a Nelson renaissance this term.
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