Arsenal: The long game the only game for Reiss Nelson

Arsene Wenger has heralded Reiss Nelson’s talent, stating that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s exit opens the door for playing opportunities a little. For Nelson, though, the only game that matters is the long one.

The development and flourishing of young players is always an exciting and uplifting process to watch. Respect should be given to those who work hard and improve as a result of their commitment, and to watch it happen over an extended period is an honour. Given Arsene Wenger’s principles in coaching up young players and thrusting them into the senior squad, it is something that we often get to enjoy as Arsenal fans.

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Although many players fail to ever deliver on their potential — football is an uncertain game where much can go wrong –, there have been several young players grow into prominent figures in the first team squad, from Hector Bellerin and Francis Coquelin to Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott.

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And now there is another name to watch out for. Reiss Nelson. After a promising preseason with the senior squad, and now having been named PL 2 (under 23s league) August Player of the Month, Wenger was gushing in his praise of Nelson’s qualities, revealing that there is a chance, thanks to the departure of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, for first team football this season:

"“He can be one of the three strikers or a wing-back. The only thing you could say is that he is more of an offensive-minded player than a defensive-minded player but he has to learn that part of the job as well. He has a good engine he is a good dribbler as well, he can pass people, unbalance defenders, open defences. Overall I believe he has a good spirit and wants to learn. That’s one of the possibilities for him. The fact that Chamberlain left opens a little the door for him.”"

For Nelson, though, while it would be wonderful to see him given the opportunity to play in the starting XI this year, there is, for now, only one game matters: the long one.

As an extremely gifted but raw 17-year-old, Nelson has his whole career ahead of him. Despite showing the ability to play in the now, there is no reason to rush him before he is ready. Nelson could, within reason, be the centrepiece of the Arsenal team for the next 15 years. Why risk that by rushing him before he is ready?

Now, if he’s ready, then perhaps that is another question. As the old adage says, ‘if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.’ But I’m not sure he is ready. Yet. There are still positional issues that he must iron out, the consistency of his final ball must improve and he must begin to build his experience slowly and steadily.

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Give him games in the Europa League. Give him games in the League Cup and FA Cup. But let’s not be too keen to throw him into the fire just yet. His career is what is most important, not just the next season.