Reiss Nelson says he’s trying hard to play his ‘normal’ game when handed the chance to play for Arsenal’s first team and admits he’s eager to push on if handed further opportunities before the end of the season.
The England youth international made his first Premier League start on Sunday as the Gunners continued their winning streak with a 3-2 victory over Southampton.
While Arsene Wenger noted afterwards that the 18-year-old is still getting used to life at the top level, the player himself is just delighted to be involved.
“I’m just delighted, I’m really happy – all the hard work is paying off so I’m really happy and excited to push on even further,” Nelson told Arsenal.com.
“It’s been a normal week for me, training with the boys. On Thursday I spoke to the boss and he told me I might be in. From then I had it in the back of my mind that I could be starting, so I trained really hard on Friday and then the teamsheet came out and I was delighted to be starting.
“I just treated it as a normal game and I think that’s the best thing to do. Being involved with the first team, be it in the Premier League or the Europa League, you just have to take it as it comes. You keep all the nerves inside and just play your normal game.”
This was Nelson’s 15th first team appearance in all competitions this season and while he’s not yet replicated the eye-catching performances he delivers for the under-23s, he’s certainly not short of confidence.
When Arsenal were awarded a first half free-kick 25 yards from the Saints goal, he immediately volunteered to take it before being usurped by Granit Xhaka, who eventually fired high and wide.
“I wanted the free-kick!” admitted Nelson. “It’s one of those things but next time hopefully I can take it!”
Loads of potential, will be some ups and downs on the way (see Iwobi) but hope he makes it.
After ozil and cazorla, we seem in short supply of free kick takers! Xhaka hasn’t shown if he’s any good going by the ones he’s been taking already. I hope there’s even more to Nelson than we’ve already seen.
Respect bro…
Come on me lad he will get more games before the end of the season and will definitely make a positive contribution, now sign a new contract and commit to the Gunners long term
Inexperience showed, but technique-wise, he is good enough for premier league football. hope he can stay grounded and focused, he has all these years ahead of him. No need trying to be Mbappe or Rashord, everyone develops at their own rate.
Who the hell is Rashford!…
just focus on keeping the game simple and doing the basics right first; the trickery, flicks and back-heels can come later
Like his confidence re: free-kick, he seems to have all the tools to be a top quality player for us, now he needs to get onto his agent and sort out his future at Arsenal.
Now for Eddie to get a few starts in the EPL between now and the end of the season.
A good debut game for him, other than that one error he coped well. I think with a little more upper-body strength and experience, he’s going to take players on with panache. If there’s anything redeemable about our mostly shambolic season (and we could still win the Europa League, fingers crossed), it’s the fact that youth players like Nketiah, Nelson, Willock, AMN and co. got invaluable game time in actual competitive games. Better than playing a dead rubber 6th Champions League game. The experiences will certainly help them, even the negative ones. I’d love to see these 4 players commit… Read more »
Clearly some people prefer to focus on certain players. NO mention on Iwobi. If anything, our young Nigerian was the better performer and the more encouraging news but such is shiny new things. Agreed that young players need a bit of exposure to improve but frankly don’t forget that players on the fringe like Iwobi and Welbeck also need the time. Therefore certain of these young players IMO would have been better off on loan second half of season – Willock for sure, Nketiah and either of Holding or Mavropanos. AMN IMO is shoe in for Rback alternate. He’s cut… Read more »
naturally as per usual some will choose to focus on certain player.Now flavour of the month Nelson. Don’t get me wrong he did decent, and can provide us with a player willing to do take ons but he will need time and there will be plenty of ups and downs as others have sensibly mentioned. Meanwhile no attention given to Iwobi whom I felt has been good last game and now against Soton. This is symptomatic of how some people choose to see things and highlight certain players beyond their contributions and others for their faults. Case in hand also… Read more »
Just hope he signs a new contract, would not want to lose that young talent
I was pleased with the way he just carried on after Tadics appalling tackle on him in the 2nd minute. Many would have stewed on the fact the ref didn’t give Tadic a yellow card for such a GBH assault.