In Focus: Forgotten man Nelson fires his way into Gunners contention

Positive vibes are in high supply around Arsenal this season — and Reiss Nelson may finally be ready to get in on the action.

A first-half injury to Bukayo Saka against Nottingham Forest saw the winger handed a first league appearance of the season and he duly grasped his opportunity by bagging two goals and an assist.

With a Europa League outing against FC Zurich up next for Mikel Arteta's side, we assess whether Nelson — long considered one of the Gunners’ most exciting prospects — is primed to show the world what he can really do.

Next big thing

Nelson forged quite the reputation when progressing through Arsenal’s youth ranks.

Prolific for both his club’s academy sides and at international level, his exciting skillset and intelligent style of play had some of the game’s most decorated stars drooling.

Writing in his newspaper column five years ago, the Gunners’ all-time top scorer Thierry Henry said of the then 17-year-old: "Reiss Nelson has all the talent to be knocking on the door of the first team.

"He has desire, confidence and a great attitude. He will run at you and be brave on the ball.

"He is quick — and not just across the ground. He is quick in the mind, he understands the game. But he is also quick with the ball and has fast feet. He is direct, there is no inefficiency, no messing around for the sake of it."

However, Henry was also quick to point out the difficulties any young forward faces when trying to establish themselves at an elite level.

He added: "Having all the attributes to make it and actually making it is a massive gap. It’s like the distance from the earth to the moon. 

"He is about to enter the real world, the pro world. Can he handle it?"

Rocky road

Over five years on from his senior debut for the North Londoners, Nelson has made just 52 appearances for the Gunners with half of those coming off the bench.

Though two loan moves abroad have brought fleeting moments of brilliance, the versatile attacker has ultimately struggled to produce consistently. 

For Hoffenheim, he registered six goals and an assist in his first seven Bundesliga games but would go on to add only one more strike to his tally before returning to England.

Then, last season with Dutch outfit Feyenoord, Nelson made 21 league appearances — just 10 of those starts — finding the net only twice and setting up team-mates on four occasions.

Yet his role in their run to the Europa Conference League final was the best evidence for some time that the Englishman still had something to offer his parent club.

Two goals, as well as assists in the last 16, quarter-final and semi-final ties made Nelson a popular figure in the Netherlands and gave Arteta plenty to ponder this summer.

Taking his chance

Having not tasted a single minute of league action this term, Nelson could hardly have expected to be called into action against Forest.

However, Saka was forced off after a heavy Renan Lodi challenge on 27 minutes and despite the presence of summer signing Marquinhos and Eddie Nketiah on the bench, Arteta turned to his No24.

The decision proved a shrewd one.

Four minutes into the second half, Nelson showed great feet to dance past a couple of visiting defenders and though his first shot was well saved by Dean Henderson, his follow-up left the Three Lions stopper with no chance.

Three minutes later, he was at it again when expertly poking home Gabriel Jesus’ low cross from inside the six-yard box to double his tally.

As if that was not enough, the youngster still had time to lay off Thomas Partey for a spectacular strike in a virtuoso performance.

Maturing

After the mauling, Arteta was quick to heap praise on the development Nelson has shown off the field.

The Gunners boss said: "I think not only me, but all his team-mates and all the staff are so happy for him because he’s a kid that is really changing.

"He’s really evolving, he’s really maturing and he’s showing every day how much he wants it. He had an opportunity and he did extremely well because he helped us to win the game."

Asked exactly what has changed, Arteta added: "How focused he is in his profession. The way he talks, the way he reflects, the way he respects the season, the way he’s challenging everybody every single day — he’s a joy of a kid. 

"We all want him to be successful and do well and what he’s done for the team is something he really merits."

Although Arteta does not expect Saka’s injury to be too serious, the impressive nature of his cameo surely means more opportunities now lie ahead for Nelson.

With Europa League and Carabao Cup fixtures ahead in the next fortnight, the winger could soon establish himself as a Gunners regular — and even parachute into England contention.