Reiss Nelson missed out on Arsenal’s defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, so what was the winger’s problem?

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Reiss Nelson of Arsenal looks dejected following their draw in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on April 21, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 21: Reiss Nelson of Arsenal looks dejected following their draw in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on April 21, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Arsenal took on Nottingham Forest in their latest Premier League fixture on Saturday, but Reiss Nelson was a notable absentee from the squad.

Mikel Arteta ended up naming three u21 players on the bench, in light of all the recent injuries, but Nelson’s absence sparked speculation about his future.

Arsenal's English midfielder Reiss Nelson 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 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)

The winger is out of contract in the summer, and Arsenal have made three attempts to convince him to extend.

Saturday would have been a good opportunity to give the 23-year-old some minutes, given Gabriel Martinelli’s current absence. Nelson had scored a brace against Forest earlier in the season.

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Arsenal's English midfielder Reiss Nelson reacts on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 21, 2023. - The game finished 3-3. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s English midfielder Reiss Nelson reacts on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in London on April 21, 2023. – The game finished 3-3. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

So, with Kieran Tierney seemingly benched amid speculation about his own future, some fans believed Nelson might have missed out for a similar reason.

But various reports suggest Nelson was actually unwell.

With any luck, he’ll be back available again for the final match of the season against Wolves.

Arsenal submitted their third contract offer to Nelson earlier this week, but there’s no suggestion that he’s accepted it yet.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Reiss Nelson of Arsenal scores his side's third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on October 30, 2022. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Reiss Nelson of Arsenal scores his side’s third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on October 30, 2022. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

The 23-year-old’s current cameo role in the Arsenal squad reportedly may not appeal to him, with Brighton among the clubs interested in picking him up on a free transfer.

Foreign clubs are also in for Nelson, with Ligue 1 club Nice mentioned as a possible destination.

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