Reiss Nelson has won the Bundesliga’s Rookie of the Month award for October, after an impressive run of games for the 18-year-old.

The rookie award is given to a player who is younger than 23 at the start of the campaign and who hasn’t played in the Bundesliga before the current season. Nelson fits in both categories, so his three goals and one assist in three league appearances made him eligible.

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The Arsenal youngster won the award ahead of Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Florian Neuhaus and RB Leipzig defender Nordi Mukiele, the other candidates nominated for the month.

There were some comments online asking why Nelson’s close friend Jadon Sancho wasn’t nominated, after three goals and an assist of his own. However, since Sancho played in the league last season, he isn’t eligible for rookie awards anymore, despite being the same age.

In October, Nelson first scored a goal against Eintracht Frankfurt to get Hoffenheim back into the game at 2-0 down. Then he scored an equaliser against 1. FC Nuremberg before putting them into the lead in the same match. Finally, it was the Arsenal loanee’s tricky run that led to the opening goal against VfB Stuttgart.

Each contribution came at a key time in the match. Hopefully, Nelson can keep making a difference in the big moments for Hoffenheim this season.