Arsenal: Reiss Nelson shows Arsene Wenger’s youthful mistakes

Reiss Nelson has stated that he wants to play further up the pitch in the future. His playing in the wrong position so far highlights Arsene Wenger’s youthful mistakes of playing players in unnatural roles.

Reiss Nelson is one of the most exciting young players in the Arsenal squad. He has the raw athletic tools, combined with the technical skill and flourishing intelligence and understanding, to develop into a truly complete player. But let’s not kid ourselves. We’ve been here before, only to be let down. Drastically.

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Arsene Wenger’s penchant for acquiring and coaching-up youth is a wonderful thing. It offers kids the opportunity to play at their highest possible level; it proves that elite football clubs can be run economically and considerately; it allows fans to rally behind and support the ‘local lad’. But while he is heralded as some form of youth-guru who masterminds an assembly line of world-class players who he signed at just 13, in recent years that has been far from the case. In fact, it could be argued that Wenger has restricted and damaged, not stimulated and encouraged.

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Nelson, when asked about how he felt making his first senior start for the Gunners in the 1-0 Carabao Cup win against Doncaster Rovers on Wednesday night, was gushing in the opportunity that he had been given. He described it as a ‘dream’, something that he has always wanted to. But his final remark was, to me, the most poignant:

"“It’s a dream (to make my first start). I want to do that all the time. I’m 17 and I’ve always wanted to do that, make my debut at the Emirates. Whatever position I’m put in I think I’ve got to do a job for the team, so that’s my main focus. Then maybe in the future I can move further up the pitch and show everyone what I can do.”"

Nelson directly stated that he wanted to play further up the pitch. That is where he has grown up, it is where he has been playing for the under 23 side so far this season, and it is where his talents seem best suited. But that is not where Wenger has been playing him for the first team. Both in the summer and now on Wednesday, Nelson featured at right wing-back, a position that he is capable of playing, if not excelling in.

And this is an issue that Wenger has inflicted on young players in the past. Theo Walcott was neither a winger nor striker; Aaron Ramsey played in attacking midfield, out wide and deeper; Jack Wilshere was often on the right flank, rather than playing centrally; Calum Chambers has not had a well-defined position throughout his time at the club.

These are all players that have suffered because Wenger, for whatever reason, has been unwilling to play them in their most natural positions. The same is now happening with Nelson. Such is his searing pace, his quick feet, his ability to drive at defenders and glide past them at ease, that Nelson is wasted at wing-back. But as a true winger, in a more advanced position, he could yet flourish.

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Wenger needs to commit to entrusting the most-suited role to Nelson’s abilities. If he doesn’t, then, I fear, we could yet see another wasted talent come through the Arsenal ranks.