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Reiss Nelson is hoping to remain at Arsenal beyond 2023 and has expressed his desire to wear the club’s colours next season.
THE LOWDOWN: STARTING TO GAIN TRUST ONCE AGAIN
The Englishman was considered one of the top prospects from Arsenal’s Hale End academy but was unable to seal a starting berth under the last two managers of the club when he first made his debut. He has been on two loans, with the last being at Feyenoord Rotterdam in the Dutch Eredivisie.
With Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal finally taking shape, many have predicted that the academy graduate could soon be on his way out of the club. Arteta, however, has expressed confidence in him in the past after his brilliant cameo against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League back in October.
Arteta has also trusted him in both of Arsenal’s mid-season matches and he has put in some strong performances to show that he is ready to take up more responsibility in the side. Still, his career at Arsenal is up in the air, with Mykhaylo Mudryk and other signings looming.
THE LATEST: CLEARS THE AIR
Speaking on his future after the last mid-season game where he scored, Nelson expressed hopes that he would love to remain at the club beyond the end of this season.
“Of course,” he said when asked if he’d like to stay at the club.
“I’ve been here since I was eight and Arsenal is all I know. I’m only a couple of minutes from the stadium, all my family is there. So of course I’d love to stay”
Asked about the run of games he is getting in the side, he said: “Yeah it’s amazing,” he said of his recent increased minutes. “I’ve said a few times, I’ve been here since I was eight and I’m 23 now so I’ve been here a long time and I’m Arsenal through and through.
“So to be playing, even in games just like this, I’m delighted. Of course, injuries are just a minor setback, but of course, I just look towards the future and hopefully, I can play many more years at the club.”
Nelson also spoke about his competition in the squad. “I feel like I’m [in] contention,” he said of his role in the squad.
“I’m getting minutes here and there which can only build my confidence and I feel like that’s something that I need to excel in the team because we’ve got a great team.
“If the boss wants me to play five minutes, 10 minutes or 90 minutes I’ll play with the same energy and same hunger throughout. I’ll just be there to help the team.”
THE VERDICT: CHANCES WILL COME
With other cup competitions still to come, coupled with the injury to Gabriel Jesus, Nelson is expected to get more minutes under his belt and it is now a matter of him taking his chances.
