Reiss Nelson continues to insist that he wants to stay at Arsenal for many more years, despite his contract running down.
In just over a couple of weeks, Reiss Nelson will enter the final six months of his Arsenal contract. The winger will be eligible for a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club, and he’ll be able to make a domestic free transfer by the summer.
Yet Nelson is playing an increasingly important role in Mikel Arteta’s squad lately, particularly over the World Cup break in the absence of Gabriel Martinelli.
When asked, Nelson continues to insist that he wants to sign a new deal with Arsenal.
“Of course,” Nelson said. “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.
“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.”
In part thanks to a thigh injury at the start of the season, Nelson hasn’t been a regular for Arsenal this campaign so far.
The winger had only made one start in all competitions this season before the start of November, but after his impressive substitute appearance against Nottingham Forest on October 30th, he then made two starts in a week.
From just 315 minutes on the pitch, Nelson has two goals and two assists, a goal contribution every 79 minutes. So he’s taking his chances.
This isn’t the first time Nelson has suggested he’d like to stay at Arsenal. Back in November, he said: “I feel like Arsenal is the club for me at this moment in time.
“I have been here for so long and I’m very comfortable here.
“Of course, I want to play games and I want to play week in, week out, but I feel like at this moment in time I am at a place where I am only going to get better.
“I feel someone like Mikel is a coach that I need right now in my career, in terms of taking me to the next step.
“I am an Arsenal fan and, of course, I want to sign a new contract at the club. I am just going to be ready for anything I get now and give my all for the team.”