What next for Reiss Nelson?

The Hale End graduate remains under contract, but uncertainty surrounds what comes next for the winger.

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) — Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images

Reiss Nelson will face a decision over his future this summer after another season in which injuries and limited minutes have restricted his ability to show what he can do.

Now 26, the Hale End graduate made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace in 2018 at the age of 18. Early promise raised expectations around the winger, but his career has not developed as many anticipated.

A loan spell with Fulham last season brought only 12 appearances and 572 minutes on the pitch. The current campaign is on course to deliver even fewer opportunities. With less than a quarter of the season remaining he has played 271 minutes while a calf injury ruled him out of the FA Cup tie against Southampton at the weekend, a match he would likely have expected to start.

Injuries have repeatedly disrupted his playing time. A hamstring problem last season accounted for 28 missed matches, with further time required afterwards to regain fitness. This season he has missed nine games through a knock, illness and the current calf issue.

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Reiss Nelson of Fulham goes down with an injury during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Craven Cottage on December 05, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) — Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Nelson’s contract at Arsenal runs until the end of next season, yet it appears unlikely he will add to his tally of 90 appearances for the club. Mikel Arteta has selected him 65 times, but the winger struggled to secure a regular spot and Arteta seems to have long ago run out of patience with him.

A permanent move to Brentford this summer seems unlikely after his underwhelming loan spell. The deal does not include an option to buy, and the club do not seem inclined to pursue a deal.

Valued at around €12m, Arsenal are expected sell him, if they can, as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of next season. Nelson’s reported wages of around £100,000 per week will not be wanted on the books any longer.

With a few months left of the season, and his latest injury not expected to keep him out for long, both the player and his parent club will be hoping he can get in the minutes to really showcase the talent we all know he has.