Alex Iwobi thinks Reiss Nelson deserves praise for his patience, and for taking his chances when they’ve come this season.

Arsenal's English midfielder Reiss Nelson (C) celebrates after scoring his team third goal of the team during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 4, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s English midfielder Reiss Nelson (C) celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal of the team during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium in London on March 4, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Alex Iwobi and Reiss Nelson both came through the academy system with Arsenal, each breaking into the senior setup with the Gunners. But the two wingers took different paths after that.

Iwobi stuck around at Arsenal at first, but when it became clear he was going to struggle for games behind new signings like Nicolas Pepe, he decided to move on.

Conversely, Nelson has stayed contracted to the Gunners whilst initially going out on a couple of loan spells, and he’s still trying to break into Mikel Arteta’s side to this day.

There’s often no right answer in these situations. Iwobi will be happy he’s getting regular games at Everton, whilst Nelson has a chance to be part of history with the Gunners – despite limited minutes.

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Talking about his former teammate in an interview with The Beautiful Game Podcast, Iwobi had plenty of praise for Nelson, both for their time together at Arsenal and for the 23-year-old’s patience recently.

“[Nelson] was a joke in training, he used to do bare tricks,” Iwobi said. “He’s another one that has that raw street ability.

“I have to give it to him, someone that’s been patient. Every time he’s come on to play, he’s delivered. I think he’s been the most impactful sub this season.

“For someone to be able to do that and you’re not playing regularly, to have that elite mindset to know that you’re going into a game and I’m gonna do my thing and make sure I help the team win, I have to rate it.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Reiss Nelson of Arsenal scores the team's third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on March 04, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Reiss Nelson of Arsenal scores the team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on March 04, 2023. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

It certainly hasn’t been an easy season for Nelson, with his mid-season injury setback coming just as he was starting to push for starts.

But that cameo display against Bournemouth will live long in the memory of many Arsenal fans, and if Arteta’s side can win the league this season, his goal will go down as a key moment in the story of the title win.

That’s still a long way off at this stage, with 10 games to go and Manchester City just five points behind if they win their game in hand.

Nelson may have to produce a few more moments of magic to help the team across the line.

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