Arsenal: Reiss Nelson still seeking that first show of faith

Arsenal witnessed the coming of age of a brilliant young Reiss Nelson in the preseason, but he has yet to be used to his full potential. It’s time for that first show of faith.

Arsenal’s preseason was just a preseason and nothing to lose your mind over, but when Reiss Nelson is deeking and diving and sending defenders spiraling into the round, it’s hard not to get a bit ahead of ourselves.

I was guilty of saying that we should sell Hector Bellerin or Marmalade (my new nickname for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain) because we only needed one and Nelson could spot them. A lot of people were of this opinion. They wanted to see him here and now.

And they have. Nelson has been the regular right wingback for the Gunners in all midweek competitions, and when it comes to spiraling opposing defenders into the ground, he’s still doing it. His control and composure over the ball is simply stunning, and something that we should all be excited about.

His defending isn’t. Whatever hopes we had of him being a wingback took a serious dent with his lackluster defending abilities, but it’s hard to fault him. He’s not a defender.

In fact, he has even gone so far as to do the Marmalade-like thing and enunciate that he would rather play further forward. No harm, no foul, he said he would play wherever necessary. But he put it on the club, saying he would really like to play in his natural position.

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He has yet to be played in that position for the senior team. But Thursday in Cologne gives us another chance to hope that that initial show of faith can be completed.

Both Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud weren’t in the squad against Tottenham, so they carry a question mark. Jack Wilshere will likely start, but Danny Welbeck has to also be a question given the lack of necessity in the match. The Gunners just need a point to secure top spot.

So why not experiment a little? Let a Josh DaSilva take wingback, as he has looked capable himself, and let Nelson play his favored role for his favorite team and do his favorite thing – attack.

Nelson had six goals in five appearances playing in attacking positions for the U23s before being called up for midweek competitions. The potential there is amazing.

Next: 5 Things Learned Against Tottenham

Plus, with the future of that attacking midfield position largely up for question, is it so bad to potentially discover a 17-year-old solution?

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