Arsenal Vs Red Star Belgrade: Reiss Nelson’s time to shine

Reiss Nelson has yet to deliver on his preseason potential in limited appearances so far, this season. Against Red Star Belgrade on Thursday, he has the chance to re-establish his dazzling ability.

The Europa League has been Arsene Wenger’s opportunity to provide rest for his stars and bleed the younger members of his Arsenal squad. The likes of Alexandre Lacazette, Laurent Koscielny and Mesut Ozil are yet to play a minute of the competition, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson have been fixtures in the side, even if they are playing slightly out of their natural positions.

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From their preseason performances, there was great excitement about what the trio could achieve in more competitive fixtures, especially Nelson. As he continued his form for the under 23s, being named the August PL2 Player of the Month, there has been a growing anticipation for his playing in the senior side.

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However, after two starts so far, this season – Doncaster Rover in the Carabao Cup; BATE Borisov in the Europa League –, it’s fair would be fair to say that he is yet to perform at his scintillating best. The driving, surging, direct runs of the summer have been blunted, his defensive naivety and shortcomings have been exposed, and he has failed to have the same heart-thumping impact on games.
Now, it is not cause for concern. He is playing out of position at right wing-back and he is a young player whose form can vary greatly throughout a season as they grow and mature. But from a purely selfish point of view, it would be great to see Nelson play at his best for the first team soon, perhaps starting against Red Star Belgrade on Thursday.

There have been reports that Wenger is set to heavily rotate his squad, playing a much-weakened as injuries begin to strike. If true, then there would be a degree of responsibility on Nelson to provide an attacking impetus and intensity from wide areas.

In his appearances so far, this season, Nelson has been more of a fringe of a player, surrounded by those more experienced and accomplished than him, able to guide him through, and carry him at times if he begins to struggle. That may not quite be the case against Belgrade.

Nelson, playing as a right wing-back, will be tasked with offering a threat down the wide channel, overlapping a drifting inside-right attacker, delivering crosses, and providing attacking width to stretch the pitch as wide as possible. But he must do so without sacrificing defensive solidarity and exposing the wide centre-half behind him. That is not easy.

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And because of the weakened side – there will be no Calum Chambers, no Shkodran Mustafi, an out-of-position Mohamed Elneny, if reports are to be believed – it is even more important that he is able to fulfil his duties. Nelson has not yet hit the heights of the preseason. He has hinted at them. But he has not reached them. Perhaps on Thursday, with an increased role and responsibility, he can again shine.