Few expected Reiss Nelson to be Arsenal\u2019s primary difference-maker against Nottingham Forest, but that\u2019s the role he ended up playing as the Gunners claimed a 5-0 win to stay top of the Premier League table. Nelson didn\u2019t even start the match, but finished with two goals and an assist after coming off the bench.<\/p>\n
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An injury to Bukayo Saka gave Nelson his opportunity, so it\u2019s likely the former will return to Mikel Arteta\u2019s lineup once he is available again, but the latter proved himself a valuable option for the Gunners in what is shaping up to be a momentous season. Arsenal need squad depth and Nelson offers that.<\/p>\n
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Nelson could be Arsenal\u2019s secret weapon, giving the Gunners something different in the wide areas. The 21-year-old\u2019s potential has always been clear, but his performance against Forest suggests he has added goal threat to his game. If Nelson can chip in when needed, that could be extremely valuable to Arsenal come the end of the season.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI think not only me but all his team-mates, all the staff are so happy for him because he is a kid that is really changing, really evolving, really maturing,\u201d Arteta said after Nelson\u2019s performance in the 5-0 win over Forest. \u201cHe\u2019s showing every day how much he wants it and today he had the opportunity, and he did extremely well because it helped us win the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
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While Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have grown into important first team figures in recent years, Nelson had become something of a forgotten figure at the Emirates Stadium. Loan spells at Hoffenheim and Feyenoord saw the attacker struggle for consistent form, leading many to suggest that he would need to leave Arsenal permanently to fulfil the potential he showed earlier in his career.<\/p>\n
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The performance against Nottingham Forest suggests Nelson is finding maturity in much of his decision making and movement. Some players are late developers and that could well be the case with the 21-year-old who has the technical ability to play the way Arteta wants. He could still become a useful figure, even if it\u2019s as a squad player.<\/p>\n
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\u201cHow mature he is, how focused he is in his profession,\u201d Arteta replied when asked how Nelson was changing his game this season. \u201cThe way he talks, the way he reflects, the way he respects decisions, the way he is challenging everybody every single day. He is a joy of a kid. We all want him to be successful and do well. What he has done today for the team is something he really merits.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Arteta has done an excellent job of forging Arsenal in his own image. Gabriel Jesus has given the Gunners purpose in the final third of the pitch since joining from Manchester City in the summer transfer window with the Brazilian international the perfect apex for a proactive and energetic Arsenal team.<\/p>\n
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Martinelli and Jesus have quickly established an understanding down the left wing which creates space for Saka on the right and for Martin Odegaard and Granit Xhaka to make late runs into the box from deep. Arteta has given the Gunners balance in attack, but injuries and suspensions mean they require depth to compete through the entire season.<\/p>\n
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This is where Nelson could be important over the course of the campaign. He could also keep Martinelli and Saka on their toes and provide competition that maintains Arsenal\u2019s high competitive level. Title-winning teams are made by more than just the best players and first team figures. Arsenal might need Nelson more than they realised.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Few expected Reiss Nelson to be Arsenal\u2019s primary difference-maker against Nottingham Forest, but that\u2019s the role he ended up playing as the Gunners claimed a 5-0 win to stay top of the Premier League table.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[643],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-51511","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sport"],"yoast_head":"\n