Arsenal: Reiss Nelson must avoid his predecessor’s pitfalls

Reiss Nelson is one of the brightest young players in the Arsenal system. If he is to fulfil his potential, then he must avoid the pitfalls of his predecessors.

The development of young players is an uncertain and tumultuous process. They are inconsistent in their performances, they progress at different rates, with some bursting onto the scene and others needing more time to establish themselves, and their lack of experience can cause issues, especially in high-profile games.

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With Arsene Wenger’s youth policy — he has always prioritised the acquisition and development of youth, rather than splashing out on the big-name signings in the transfer window –, Arsenal are often at the wrong end of the youth development stick.

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While earlier in his tenure, Wenger’s coaching and investment was clearly influential and improving, more recently, there is a greater mound of evidence suggesting that he has lost his touch. The Arsenal squad is a mire of unfulfilled talent, players who should be better than they are. Some are because of injuries. Others are because of attitude problems. Others are simply due to a misevaluation of talent at a younger age. But when there are as many examples as is currently re-collectable, there is an undermining issue that must be addressed. That issue is Wenger.

More specifically, that issue is Wenger’s hesitance to pick and stick to a defined position for his young players. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Calum Chambers, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott have all struggled to develop because they did not know what position they were trying to grow into. Obviously, knowing what position you will play throughout your career allows you to work on certain traits that the position demands; not knowing means that you do not know what traits to work on and improve.

That is the pitfall that Reiss Nelson must avoid. While he featured at right wing-back in the pre-season, very much like Oxlade-Chamberlain who has been stationed there also, Nelson is not a natural right wing-back. He is far better suited to a more advanced role, as proven by his performances for the under 23 side this season.

Nelson has scored five goals in just three games, at 17 years of age, and has been nominated for the PL2 August Player of the Month award. He has done so playing in an advanced midfield role, either on the right or in behind the central striker, not at wing-back.

History, though, dictates that Wenger will not commit a position to Nelson and his future. And that will only be detrimental to his progression, as has been proven time and time again with several talented Arsenal youngsters.

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Nelson is a wonderfully gifted player with a set of attributes that make him a rising star within the Gunners’ squad. But his development is dependent on a position, something that he may not get from Wenger until it’s too late.