Reiss Nelson gushed about his ‘incredible’ Arsenal home debut on social media after the Gunners’ 5-2 Emirates Cup win over Benfica on Saturday.
Nelson reacts
17-year-old Reiss Nelson was nothing short of fantastic against Benfica on Saturday.
Not only was the forward fearless and professional throughout, he also managed to get an assist for Olivier Giroud’s goal – Arsenal’s fourth of the afternoon.
The youngster has been brilliant for the Gunners so far in pre-season but his display against the Portuguese champions was his best.
Nelson took to social media after the match to gush about how incredible it was to step out in front of the Emirates’ home crowd. The England u18 international is a product of the Gunners’ Hale End academy and, as a London boy, he’ll know all too well how lucky he is.
Hopefully, we see plenty for from Nelson over the coming season. Although given his age, it’s unlikely that we’ll see him become a regular fixture in the Premiership, the Europa League could be a blessing in disguise.
Last season, Nelson scored 12 goals and assisted six for Arsenal’s youth team in 27 appearances, including six goals in Premier League 2.
Next Arsenal fans rave about Reiss Nelson
Arsenal fans rave about Reiss Nelson
Reiss Nelson put in another sterling performance in midfield for Arsenal against Benfica.
Instead of featuring for Arsenal XI against Boreham Wood FC mid-week, Nelson was kept in training with the first team after a few strong performances while the Gunners were away in Sydney and then China.
We put it to you on Twitter, what impressed you the most about the England u18 international?
Next Nelson shows he can be Arsenal quality
Nelson shows he can be Arsenal quality
by Helen Trantum
Every year, pre-season offers an opportunity to some of our youngsters.
Most choke on the occasion, but every so often someone grabs the opportunity to demonstrate not only their ability, but their potential as well.
Last season, that man was Alex Iwobi.
This year, despite props to Joe Willock, my pick for the player staking a claim for his future as an Arsenal regular is Reiss Nelson
He’s got plenty of great attributes – he’s pacy, technically sound, skillful and confident. He had a screamer of a debut against Sydney FC on Thursday, when he was probably the best player on a pitch that included the likes of Mesut Ozil. But that’s not what impressed me most.
At the top level, plenty of players have all the attributes and never make it, because their mentality isn’t right. We’ve been accused in recent years of having too many players who when push comes to shove just don’t quite step up.
Given the opportunity, Reiss Nelson put in the performance of a lifetime and then followed it up with an impressive cameo. For the young lad we watched on Thursday, the big occasion was his debut senior appearance, a chance to make a claim on a first team squad place. He was unfazed. In years to come, that mental fortitude could help him deliver his best performances in the biggest games, whether those are for league titles or in cup finals.
It was easy to look around and see the contrast with some of the other young players who didn’t acquit themselves quite so well.
I mentioned Joe Willock in the opening as another player who did well, but at times against Western Sydney Wanderers he was guilty of trying too hard, running straight at banks of defenders centrally when his simplicity of play from the first game was as effective.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is a player with significantly more experience, having featured for the first team previously and with a loan spell at Ipswich under his belt, but he had something of a nightmare after coming on in the first tour game. He’s clearly got all the skills, but his brain let him down with his decision making and at centre back that was all too obviously exposed. He’ll have more chances, but he probably went to bed on Thursday wishing he’s kept things that little bit simpler.
Eddie Nketiah is another who delighted and exasperated in equal measure. The talent is obvious, but he was another guilty of trying too hard. A fantastic shot spun back off the post in our most recent fixture, but in both games the youngster seemed too fixated on the glory of a goal rather than thinking how doing the best thing for the team rather than his own chances might actually better for him longer term. We’ve already got two senior forwards in Alexis and Walcott who will shoot on any opportunity, and that’s probably not the role we’re looking for from a youngster just breaking onto the scene.
Nelson, by contrast, took the opportunity to impress individually when it arose in the first game, but also was able to consolidate that in his second appearance with a solid and mature display against the Wanderers.
It is that maturity which marks him out as the one to watch for the future.
Next Reiss Nelson: Youth player of the year profile
Who is Reiss Nelson?
The highly-rated winger, still only 17, has rapidly become a familiar name on the lips of Arsenal supporters watching Academy prospects progress.
Having signed his first professional contract last December, performances at both u18 and u23 level have stood out from the crowd and he has impressed on a consistent basis.
Joining the club as a seven-year-old, it’s clear to see that he enjoys playing for his boyhood team and his tendencies on the pitch reiterate this. Constantly eager to get on the ball, adventurous but equally brave when things aren’t going his way, Nelson is able to get supporters off their seats and has taken time to improve the finer side of his game to become a better player.
He’s versatile and has shown a willingness to play in a variety of different positions, including in the number ten role or as a Toni Kroos-type player. His technique and ability to create goals, just like the Real Madrid midfielder, are arguably better than the rest of his team-mates and he’s keen to maintain his hard-working approach out of possession too.
Showing balance, agility, and vision, he’s constantly in search of ways to improve himself and it’s refreshing to see from someone so young, not least given how quickly expectation can force unnecessary pressure onto youngsters.
As the season continued, Nelson began to get more involved in terms of overall goal contribution to the team. His frequency in scoring goals and creating assists has improved, to the extent where he’s more efficient in the final third than the likes of Chris Willock and Donyell Malen (both 19).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir3Gnciha_I
Nelson actively relishes the opportunity to skip past opposition players and invites challenges so will need to hone his decision-making and accept the fact that he will be fouled a lot. Most players simply cannot catch him once he accelerates.
With an interesting summer of change ahead, Nelson will be hoping for an opportunity to stake his claim in front of a wider audience during Arsenal’s pre-season campaign.
It’s unlikely that he’ll be promoted to the first team next term, but perhaps the coaching staff will want him to earn minutes on-loan in the Championship.
Alternatively, he could continue as an u23 player before a January loan deal similar to those enjoyed by Krystian Bielik and Stephy Mavididi this year.
Reiss Nelson no issue playing out of position in Arsenal first team
Young attacker Reiss Nelson gave his verdict after Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Sydney FC .
- Nelson was pleased with his performance
- He’s been training as a wing-back
- He talked about his squad initiation
The 18-year-old was voted Arsenal’s man of the match after a highly impressive display at right wing-back in front 80,000 people.
Neither the crowd or the fact that it was his debut phased him. Nelson reflected on the win while speaking to Arsenal.com.
“I’m really happy, more happy with the performance and so excited that I got on and showed what I can do.”
Normally a winger, Nelson revealed that Wenger had been preparing him to play wing-back since the beginning of training.
“The boss put me there [at wing back], I think for the last week or so now. I’ve got used to it now and have just had to adapt to that. It’s not my normal position but I don’t mind at the moment.
“The role is up and down. You’ve got to be very clever when you attack, knowing when to attack and when to defend, knowing when to tuck in.”
Pre-season tours are usually an opportunity for young players to show what they can do, and Nelson believes the squad has the right balance of youth and experience to help him settle.
“It’s really good, I’m really excited. The fans have been great and hopefully I go on many more.
“Sometimes it helps having other young players around. But I think the senior ones help me a lot as well, so it’s been really good.”
As a new member of the first team squad, Nelson, as well fellow youngsters Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock, had to sign an initiation song in front of the squad.
“Yeah, I did do it, unfortunately, on the first night – me, Eddie [Nketiah] and Joe [Willock] sang ‘One Dance’ by Drake. I was the best so far, so it’s alright!”
Asked what was more nerve-wracking between singing in front of his team mates and playing in front of 80,000, he said:
“I’ll probably say 80,000, yeah!”