Alexis Sanchez believes that Reiss Nelson can become a top player if he applies himself.
Speaking recently, Alexis hailed 17-year-old teammate Nelson and claimed that the youngster can become a top player if he continues to train everyday and get game time.
“Reiss has real talent, but he still has a lot to learn from other players,” Alexis told Arsenal Player.
“From playing more matches and getting more experience. That’s exactly what the boss is providing for him, so that he can carry on improving as a player.
“He must train every day and get better every day. It’s all down to him whether or not he wants to end up at the very top of the sport.”
Nelson has now made six appearances for Arsenal’s senior team, including the Community Shield, and while he’s yet to score or assist, the teenager has been exciting to watch.
It should be noted that the winger has been played as wing-back by Arsene Wenger, which has given him fewer opportunities to get forward, yet he’s not complained and instead tried to make the role his own.
Alexis’ advice to just knuckle down, turn up to training and continue to push for game time is pretty standard to be fair. The next few years could shape Nelson’s entire career and he can either become comfortable with the odd first team appearance seeing as he’s so young, or he can keep striving for better things.
Becoming too complacent, which is what I feel Alex Iwobi seems to have done, can be dreadful for younger players because one minute they’re tapping on the door of the first team and then three or four years later they’re still there on the fringes.