Arsenal: Henrikh Mkhitaryan assures Reiss Nelson of continuity

Arsenal finally handed Reiss Nelson his first start and with Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s unclear situation, Nelson may have himself some continuity in the role.

Arsenal had a pretty steady thing going with their rotational strategy. All of the first-choice players would go in the midweek Europa League fixtures and the Premier League fixtures, which are mostly meaningless, would allow for some rotation.

Squad players would fill in the gaps where players needed breaks and vital players are given key breaks to keep them at their absolute best when they are needed the most.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan was one of those vital players that would only play in the midweek Europa League fixtures. But with the report of ligament damage to his knee, sustained against CSKA Moscow in the first leg, things have to change.

Hopefully, this isn’t the end of the season for Mkhitaryan, but it’s at least the end of the month. Meaning that creativity will have to kick in in the Europa League lineup.

Either Danny Welbeck or Alex Iwobi will be the beneficiaries and will be privileged to play next to the likes of Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey, which adds another strain on the first team in Premier League fixtures, as both Welbeck and Iwobi figured to be regulars in that set-up.

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Meaning that, if we want to dig in and find the silver lining here, it’s not very hard. Reiss Nelson should be assured more first team minutes – and better yet, more first team starts – simply by default.

Even before the extent of the Mkhitaryan injury was known, the Armenian would have been rested against Southampton. Even before Welbeck or Iwobi would be called away to play a midweek match, Nelson was given the nod.

Therefore, it stands to reason that with less rotational options and more strain on the regulars, Nelson will see more regular time. Which if obviously fantastic.

Nelson wasn’t much against Southampton, but he was one thing that we haven’t yet seen him be. He was mature. And by mature, I mean he was secure with possession, he didn’t try to conquer the world with every touch. he fit in, got his feet underneath him, and played a solid hour free of mistakes.

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That is a fantastic performance to build off. Let him settle into the first team more, get his confidence and his wits about him and let this maturity become a part of his regular routine. Then he can start to break out and push the envelope a bit more. This is all made easier by the current situation.

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