According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are in talks with Reiss Nelson over a new contract.
Mikel Arteta is keen to retain the services of the 23-year-old winger even though he’s been on the fringes of the first team squad since he took over.
Nelson last signed a long-term contract back in 2018 prior to a loan move with Hoffenheim. He did well in Germany but struggled with injuries on his return and made only a handful of starts for Unai Emery.
When Arteta took over in the dugout, the academy graduate earned more game time in the second half of the 2019/20 season. It was something of a false dawn. After rejecting the opportunity to go out on loan, he featured just twice in the league the season after.
Wary of spending another year on the sidelines, Nelson joined Feyenoord on loan last season going on to make 32 appearances as the Dutch side made the final of the Uefa Conference League.
Understand negotiations are currently underway between Arsenal and Reiss Nelson representatives for a contract extension. Current deal expires in June ⚪️🔴 #AFC
Arteta would be happy to keep Reiss, while more European clubs are showing interest in potential free transfer. pic.twitter.com/6grscYcBst
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 5, 2023
Several clubs were interested in signing him last summer but another untimely injury ruled him out of the first couple of months of the season and scuppered a move.
Arteta certainly didn’t mind that he stuck around saying: “Obviously after the spell that he had on loan, we wanted him back to see if there are any changes or a prospect that we can really take to the next level. I think the potential is there, we always hang in there because we see something in Reiss that is special.”
Nelson has since played regularly in the Europa League but most notably made a telling impact in two Premier League matches, both as a substitute.
He came on at half time against Nottingham Forest to score twice and grab an assist in a 5-0 win and then memorably grabbed a stoppage-time winner against Bournemouth to secure three vital points in March.
Those cameos have demonstrated a maturity that Arteta believes is worth nurturing.
A new contract would also give the Gunners a chance to offload the player for a decent sum in a future transfer window should things not work out.
Speaking in November, Nelson made it clear he’d stay at Emirates Stadium if the opportunity presents itself.
“Getting a new deal would be amazing and I would love to commit to the club. Any opportunity I get I’m going to try and take and just do my very best and just keep helping the team really,” he said.
He deserves it just for the Bournemouth goal!
Yeah, I dunno. I think it’s probably in the clubs interest to sign him up (and I don’t think that Arteta would be so fickle as to alter his opinion due to one beautifully drilled left foot shot). But I really worry for Reiss’ game time if he stays. He won’t be a number 2 because we will almost definitely sign a WF in the summer who will likely be a RWF. So we’ll have Eddie, Trossard, GJ, Gabi, Saka, Balogun maybe, Vieira – who can play there – all ahead of him in the pecking order. I’m all for… Read more »
On the flipside, he’s managed to make a huge contribution this season with limited gametime- not only Bournemouth but Forest too. Maybe he feels he’s still progressing purely by playing with such a high performing team day in day out with Arteta’s coaching. If I were him I’d sign a new deal on a non-prohibitive wage; worst case scenario, he probably picks up some medals over the next couple years and moves with his prime years ahead of him, and we likely pocket £30m-odd. Best case scenario he nails down a place as an important squad player and a bit… Read more »
Again, economically I think it absolutely makes sense. We have an asset and want to squeeze some value out of it. I’m with you on that, despite feeling it’s a slightly cynical way to think about a hale end lads career. But I suppose it comes down to this. Would you feel comfortable with Nelson starting games for us, in a way that we feel comfortable with Tomiyasu and Trossard and even Tierney and Jorginho starting games? I must say, I think that RWF role is very important to us. And if we were playing premier league opposition, Reiss has… Read more »
He has a long way to go to show a consistency on the level that Saka and Martinelli have shown. But the talent is clearly there with Reiss, he’s clearly able to decide games at the highest level, and sometimes all you need is a run of games to really click. He’s never really gotten that run of games with us, so until he does I wouldn’t rule anything out.
100% agree. Sign da ting Reiss
Well said, he has the talent to play for us and it seems from his comments he doesn’t want to go anywhere, sign him up please Arsenal.
Agreed, also if it was 2 years ago probably no value add, but if we manage to stay at top table these players that Fulham would be offering a loan on half his wages but now he could be worth a good few bob. Kind of like what pool did. Or as you said he realises his potential and we have a home grown player on our hands
To my untrained eyes, Eddie’s style doesn’t fit our playing style. He scored quite a few goals, but most of them are poacher’s goals and others’ game suffered, ex. Martinelli. So I think Balo will come back and take his place as No. 2 striker if we don’t recruit someone in that position. For WF, we have Martinelli, Trossard, Smith Rowe on the left, Saka, Viera, Nelson, Marquinhos on the right. I think the few times Nelson was in the game, he showed flashes of quality and can play a role there. I think we have more need for cover… Read more »
I thought Declan Rice was pencilled longterm Partey/Xhaka replacement?
Too expensive imo. Our high quality scouting should be able to do as well for a lot less.
Flo will be third choice behind Eddie purely because Eddie has Premiership experience and goals under his belt.
The Premiership is the toughest league in world football, bar none.
Flo has performed way beyond the call of duty whilst on loan, but the fact remains in an easier league. The Premiership is a different kettle of fish entirely. He will need to adjust to the pace and the ferocity from the bench.
Just ask Robert Pires how he began his Arsenal career….
For sure, only big signing I see this summer is in Central midfield, no wide Player if Nelson signs on.
I think Trossard will be 1st choice backup for both wing positions and Nelson 2nd choice for both, with ESR 3rd on the left and Vieira 3rd on the right.
Richarlison and Antony combined have played 35 games, scored 3, and assisted 3.
Nelson has played 4, scored 3, assisted 2.
Awesome.
This lad is mustard, his attitude and his work rate are spot on – not to mention that fact that he has got one hell of a shot on him.
Sign him up.
COYG
Homegrown… Massive impact this season, 6 points he helped us get. Win – Win for me.
Lose for Bournemouth
Staying and playing (however much) with players who represent top-tier talent is the right choice. Once you step away from that opportunity, it doesn’t usually come knocking again.
Stay put Reiss. Bang in the occasional goal for us!
Gunner through and through
Look I love the guy, and he’s made some massive contributions this season. But we need RW cover for Saka, someone who can start games in the league and ucl group matches so that Saka is not overworked. If Arteta thinks Reiss is that guy, then let’s go. But the way he’s been used so far doesn’t really suggest he does. Maybe that’s down to injuries. Obviously at this stage we’d be mad not to trust the club’s decision makers. COYG
As much as anything, Reiss not getting playing time on the right wing is down to the fact Arsenal did not last long in the cup competitions and Saka has always been available.
Obviously at this stage we’d be mad not to trust the club’s decision makers.
That’s such a telling point. I’ll admit to being initially sceptical about some of the signings we’ve made in recent years. But I’ve been proven wrong time and again. Have to conclude I know diddly squat, while Arteta and Edu have categorically demonstrated they know what they’re doing. They’ve earned the trust of fans (well OK, this fan, I shouldn’t speak on behalf of the whole Goonerverse). Keep it up! COYG
It comes down to whether Arteta trusts him to start games, enough to be proactive in resting Saka for the bigger games. I don’t see the point in keeping him if we’re going to sign another right winger, or if we start Saka every game again, leaving Nelson with just 5-15 or so sub apps and a couple of starts. But we do need a reliable 2nd choice to Saka, and if Arteta thinks he’s that then great If he does sign we need to use him as a full fledged squad member, give him the benefit of the doubt… Read more »
This is great news. Hopefully we can get him on a long term contract. Will definitely start all domestic Cup games and help from the bench. This could also end any chance of Pepe coming back. I hope Pepe would get a second chance to prove himself. He joined us at an unstable time. Wish him the best either way.
of the 11 senior players that we have on loan, I guess only Balogun will come back. There may some limited chance for AMN, but i fear that boat has sailed.
I think Pepe is history. He will like be sold in the summer for pennies on the dollar.
Yes, so unlikely to see Pepe in AFC shirt again. I guess he will go for something around 15-20 million.
He is a fighter, this is a good deal
We need squad players who can come in and make a difference, especially in the attacking positions. We have much more competitions to play next season, besides replacing a player who’s happy to sit on the bench, wait for his chance and not make a fuss would be very difficult. He’s my favorite youth player in what seemed like ages ago. Sign da ting Reiss, you may well have a place in the Arsenal folklore if we hold our nerves this season.
Not good enough. You don’t give contracts on basis of 20 minutes against Bournemouth!
🙄 Luckily Arteta and the rest of the club have seen him day in day out all season and will be basing their decision on that rather than “20 minutes against Bournemouth”
Olympic levels of Ignorance.
There’s this post up there from Mkh I just copied. I’m pasting it here for your benefit: Richarlison and Antony combined have played 35 games, scored 3, and assisted 3.
Nelson has played 4, scored 3, assisted 2.
Not to mention potentially the most vital goal of our season
Thank you.
Manure and Sp*rs have paid 100m and 60m for them.
We can’t expect every player to be Saka’s level, while not regularly playing. If he fits the system, he definitely deserves to be there.
Origi
He’s a good enough player to be in the Premier League.
A new contract makes sense. Time will tell whether he will manage to carve a place for himself, be a sub/impact player, or will move on to another team, like Willock or Iwobi, who earned us decent fees.
Exactly. Sign a 4 year deal, after 2 years if it isn’t working out and he isn’t playing and unhappy we’ll happily move him on.
He’s also scored three more premier league goals than richarlison this season, even though he’s played a fraction as many minutes
That’s not a very high bar to be fair, as we’ve all scored as many league goals as he has this season
Hard to overstate Reiss’s contributions this year, and prior years. He’s been loyal, and always ready to step up or step in. At the same time, a new contract many not carry a lot of significance with respect to promised playing time. This could be just good business on Arsenal’s part. Regardless, he’s earned a reward, and hopefully it works out for all sides.
Definitely to sign him up, worth to keep him.
What will be the BAD case scenario then? If he can keep or continue to improving his level for next 1 or 2 years, even at £3mil annual salay cost for 1 or 2 years. Even he ultimately couldn’t fit knto our system, we then can still selling him more >£10mil with England tag price. Win win for all.
Really pleased to know this…As someone who followed Nelson’s academy career I’m still hopeful he can make it on the grand stage…He was the Saka of the academy…You could clearly see he was on a different gear to the rest of the team…ESR Nketiah and even Saka didn’t match up to his hype and talent during Hale End days…This is sensible business from Arsenal…not giving up on once a very bright talent…change of managers hasn’t helped his trajectory…and he really needs to toughen up his mentality…Just needs to look at other Academy Graduates like Saka and Nketiah for examples…Come on… Read more »
That legendary cameo vs Bournemouth felt like watching Reiss back in the Academy. Explosive, confident, game changing and levels above others. I’m rooting for him too, I swear everytime he comes on in the PL I tense up in anticipation. I also almost lost my voice after he scored the banger.
Yeah bro…only gunners who have followed his career from his Hale End days truly know of his talent…he just went cold coming into senior football…I hope he finds his spark again
He’s a useful player. Can play on both flanks. A good impact sub, as he has demonstrated this season. The next step for him would be to really push to prise the door open as a starter. When he gets those starts he has to make the most of them with full intensity from the off. He must look at Saka and Martinelli and see that they are at it from the first whistle.
He absolutely has the talent. He’s scored some big goals for us. I’d like to see him stay and fulfil his potential.
Extending Nelson’s contract would be excellent for this club. In the PL, there is penchant for longing after other clubs’ average players, and not really appreciating the worth of your own. Keeping emotion aside, keeping all the crazy stats of this season of Nelson wrt to Antony+Richarlison aside, purely from a football point of view, this is a player who is accomplished enough to be trusted by our manager (in a season we are leading at the top nonetheless), who has the right attitude, is brought up with the footballing ethos of this club, has experience in this league, can… Read more »
I think we should be proud of the boys. Liverpool at Anfield is not a walk in the park. Man city, Newcastle, all the big boys have lost at Anfield and not to mention the 7-0 thumping.
Let’s take the draw and take it game by game for the remaining games. Man city may still slip up