REISS NELSON’S next chapter finally began this weekend with his long-awaited debut at Feyenoord.
And there were hints in his 30-minute cameo in the 2-2 draw with RKC Waalwijk that his nightmare start and middle to this year could have a happy ending.
The 21-year-old was full of energy, tricks and, most encouragingly, confidence, as he teed up a team-mate to hit the post before having a powerful effort well-saved himself.
The level in the Eredivisie may be below that of the Premier League but it served as a reminder of what this largely-forgotten young talent can do.
Nelson’s 2020 promised much as he forced his way into the Arsenal picture following a useful loan spell in Germany with Hoffenheim.
Unai Emery gave him his chance and successor Mikel Arteta often turned to the youngster as one of his first subs off the bench.
Nelson’s highlight was his first Premier League goal in a 2-1 win over Liverpool during Project Restart.
While he also netted the first penalty in the Gunners’ shootout victory against the Reds to lift the Community Shield.
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But after that, his progress stagnated as over time he fell out of favour with Arteta.
Injuries did not help with a knee problem ruling him out for most of November and a head issue keeping him out of the festive period.
By the time he was back, he was truly out in the cold.
Since the start of last season, he played just 262 minutes of action for the Gunners and only 19 in the league, which came as a sub in their curtain-raiser at Brentford in August.
With some young players, the worry is that early success may have gone to their head but by all accounts, Nelson trained well and maintained a good attitude.
Even Arteta felt sorry for him.
Speaking in May, the Spaniard explained it was simply down to Nelson being behind others in the pecking order. He said: “He’s a boy who tries really hard, he trains every day.
“It’s very difficult at the moment with the players we have to be able to fit in.
“I feel sorry because he deserves more. He doesn’t play more and that’s my fault.”
Nelson’s lack of consistency, as well as the injuries, look to have cost him.
Julian Nagelsmann, now boss of Bayern Munich, tried to drill the need to perform regularly at a certain level into Nelson when they worked together at Hoffenheim.
The youngster, who had followed pal Jadon Sancho to Germany, made a blistering start to life in the Bundesliga with six goals in his first 11 games.
He won the league’s Rookie of the Month award in October but his game-time dried up around the New Year mark.
Nagelsmann said at the time: “He needs to grow healthily. It’s like in music – one song puts bread on the table but only for a few weeks.
“It’s not about being a one-hit wonder, but about delivering good performances over a long period of time. Being the best over 15 years.”
Nelson’s lack of game time in the last year seems to have set him back compared to his contemporaries.
Crystal Palace could have taken him on loan this summer but boss Patrick Vieira is understood to have snubbed the opportunity.
In the end, he was farmed to Feyenoord on deadline day. It came shortly after extending his deal until 2023.
But with his previous contract expiring at the end of this season, that was more likely so Arsenal can make some money on him next summer rather than suggesting he has a genuine future at the Emirates.
Nelson will be hoping to make a similar impact to the one made by former England Under-21 team-mate Noni Madueke, who is emerging as one of the Eredivisie’s most exciting talents.
But again, injury has held Nelson back with a groin problem meaning he missed the first month of the campaign.
Feyenoord boss Arne Slot caused a stir by suggesting the root of Nelson’s problems was that his new club’s training intensity was “more spicy” to that of Arsenal’s.
This 30 minutes was just a start-up. Of course, I can play much more. I’m ready to start.
Reiss Nelson
Arteta refuted that claim but what matters is that Nelson now looks fit and, based on his half-hour on Saturday, ready to fire.
He would already have a first goal for the club were it not for the impressive reflexes of RKC keeper Etienne Vaessen.
Nelson said after the game: “My aim is to score goals and to assist goals for the team. Today I didn’t do that, but I felt strong. I felt good in my one-v-one battles and I think I created some good chances.
“This 30 minutes was just a start-up. Of course, I can play much more. I’m ready to start.”
Ready to re-start, more like.
And end what has been a miserable 2021 so far on a positive note for a player who surely has much, much more to give.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
