Arsenal: Reiss Nelson confirmed everything we thought we knew

Arsenal deployed Reiss Nelson in his preferred role against Nottingham Forest and lo and behold, the effects were exactly as we thought they’d be.

I’ve been trying to distance myself from the Nottingham Forest match as best I can. Per Mertesacker went to a new level by saying that not a single Arsenal player justified his selection against the hosts. I admire his stance on that, and for having the cojones to say it, but he actually isn’t right.

Reiss Nelson, in particular, justified his selection more than anyone else.

Originally billed as the right wingback opposite Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Nelson ended up playing a sort of floating midfield attacker role that saw him stripped of defensive responsibilities.

The results were spectacular, albeit not enough to save the day. Still, though, to not highlight what we saw from Nelson would be grossly irresponsible, because it was a tremendous showing from a young man that has made it perfectly clear – start him in an attacking role and he is better off.

We saw him in the preseason burst onto the scene and showcase his effectiveness, but throughout the season he has fallen off. It is highlighted every appearance how he is simply not a defender.

Many, many people out there kept calling for him to be given a shot in an attacking role, to see if a solution was right under our nose but, until recently, Arsene Wenger had avoided the idea.

In just one showing, he solidified a fact that we already thought we knew for a fact – Nelson might damn well be a solution.

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Arsenal’s “experienced” and “exciting” attacking trio of Walcott, Welbeck and Iwobi created a whole three chances. Reiss Nelson created four all on his own. That was good for half of the total chances created by the Gunners.

Arsenal’s “experienced” and “exciting” attacking trio of Walcott, Welbeck and Iwobi completed six dribbles between them. Reiss Nelson completed six all on his own.

Nelson was inspired on the ball. He was driven. He had something to prove which not many people on that pitch had much of. It’s also something not many players have had much of in general. Motivation built on the desire to prove something does not look like the lethargic state that the Gunners can often appear as.

Next: 3 Gunners Who Let Themselves Down Against Nottingham Forest

The trick will be learning something from this. Learning that Nelson can be trusted in this attacking role, learning that an added dollop of motivation goes a long way. I’m not going to say that I’m optimistic, but stranger things have happened. Maybe Nelson taught Wenger some things in that atrocious loss.

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