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Reiss Nelson believes that he is in with a “big, big shout” this year.
What did he say?
The 19-year-old spent last season out on loan at Hoffenheim, but has now returned to the fold at the Emirates Stadium. Unai Emery clearly sees him as part of his plans for the future as the forward has already started two of the first three games of the campaign.
Arsenal have brought in Nicolas Pepe and Gabriel Martinelli, both wingers, this summer. Although these two could be seen as threats to his place in the side, the England U21 international appears to be relishing the battle for spots. He told the Gunners’ official website:
“All the competition that’s here, all the new wingers Arsenal have signed… I think this could be my time.
“I need to just keep training hard and getting all the information from the coaches and the players. If I do that, I’m going to have a big, big shout this season.”
Check out fan reaction to Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal in the video below…
Good confidence, but maybe too soon?
You can’t knock the youngster’s confidence, that’s for sure. To be able to make it in the cut-throat world of professional football, belief in yourself and your abilities will only aid your development.
Nelson does have reasons to be optimistic, and the talent is there. He had a good spell at Hoffenheim, where he netted seven times and showed flashes of what he can do, whilst 17 goals and 11 assists in 38 Premier League 2 games is not to be sniffed at.
However, it could be too soon for the teenager to already be looking at a regular first team spot with the north London outfit. Whilst he did manage to score seven for the Bundesliga side last term, six came within the first 11 games. He started just five leagues matches throughout the campaign, and none after December. The capability to perform week-in week-out was obviously not there, but that’s exactly what Arsenal need.
His boss last term, Julian Naglesmann also reportedly dropped him in March this year as an “educational measure”. Another season away from the Emirates learning his craft would have done him the world of good, but it looks like he will be asked to contribute heavily to Emery’s side already.
It may just be a bit early for the starlet.
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