Arsenal: Mesut Ozil can round out Reiss Nelson’s future

Arsenal youngster Reiss Nelson has been tearing it up, and it sounds like we may have Mesut Ozil to thank for it. Which couldn’t be more perfect.

As has been covered time and again during this Arsenal preseason, no player is doing more with his time on the pitch than Reiss Nelson. The young man has showcased so many talents that you just can’t help but look forward to his arrival with the first team.

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Which damn well might be this year.

And in the midst of all of this, it looks like there is one man who has taken to Nelson and offered a helping hand in getting him acclimated to the daily requirements of playing consistently at this level. And that man is Mesut Ozil.

Here is what Reiss Nelson had to say about the maestro, as quoted by the Daily Mirror:

"“Mesut’s been talking to me and really helping me through the games. After the first game he seemed impressed and he couldn’t tell how old I was. When I told him he was really surprised. From there, he’s just been telling me loads of stuff that I need to be doing – how to behave on and off the pitch. It’s crazy to be getting advice from one of the best players in the world.”"

This isn’t the first time Ozil has been heralded as a massive help on and off the pitch. Alex Iwobi has also been the subject of praise from the German, which hints at another mentor/apprentice relationship.

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But the one with Reiss Nelson is the most intriguing to me simply because of the potential that it offers. What we already have in Nelson is clear. He is pacey as hell, slick on the ball, decisive in his decision making and absolutely tireless.

The one thing we haven’t seen too terribly much of is his passing. It’s not that he’s a bad passer, it’s that he hasn’t shone in the same way that Ozil does. But that is where Ozil can play such a big part in this young man’s future. If he can help Nelson become the kind of passer that say, Alex Iwobi is? Then he has every facet of the game down to a science.

And do take care to remember that Reiss Nelson is only 17 years old. There is so much time yet to develop the parts of his game that aren’t shimmering gold nuggets just yet.

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Ozil’s not someone that is viewed as a leader, but here we have another testimonial from a young Gunner that it’s the German maestro who is helping them the most.