Arsenal: Reiss Nelson preparing to push

Reiss Nelson has stated that Unai Emery is looking to bring through young players. He is preparing himself to push for a more prominent role at Arsenal next season and beyond.

Largely, the preseason is about three different things: the manager implementing new tactical elements, systems and collective, technical elements; the players building their base fitness and preparing their bodies for the season ahead; the young, reserve and fringe players pushing for more regular minutes by performing well in training and in the preseason friendlies.

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While people make focus on things like results, the development of players and the spirit of the dressing room and culture of the club, these kinds of things are either completely meaningless during the summer months or are instilled and maintained throughout the whole year, not in the preseason. From the players’ perspective, the primary objectives are to get fit and to earn playing time.

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That is clearly what Reiss Nelson is focusing his attention. The young attacker broke onto the scene a year ago with a series of intriguing displays throughout the preseason, especially while on tour in Australia. After a first senior season at Arsenal that saw his opportunities largely limited to Europa League games and domestic cup ties in the early rounds, he is now hoping to establish himself in the first team under new management.

And that management, according to Nelson, is welcoming his ambition and aspirations for the season ahead:

"“[Emery] is looking to bring through the young players as well… pushing them, so they will have a feeling they can shine under the new coach.”"

Nelson started the preseason friendly against Atletico Madrid on Thursday afternoon. Playing predominantly on the right flank, though switching with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the left every now and then, Nelson showcased his direct, driving dribbling style, his attacking, creative threat, and his willingness to be risky with the ball in the final third, attempting passes, crosses and skills that may or may pay dividends but are undertaken in the right areas of the pitch and could create chances and score goals.

He was a little inconsistent, featuring prominently for a series of moves, only to then slip into the shadows of the game for a period. But on those instances where he was able to get the ball in space and drive at an opponent, he illustrated the attacking ability that makes him a special and rare talent.

But Nelson wants more than just to be a prospect. A talent. A young player of whom much is thought but little is ever actually trusted. Nelson wants to be a contributor, a prominent one at that. He wants to start, to lead this team in league games, in Europe. He wants his age and inexperience to not be a stumbling block, but rather for his talent and his production to vindicate his inclusion. He wants to play. A lot.

And the preseason is when he can make that case to start. It is in these weeks that Nelson can force himself into the thinking of Unai Emery. The time is now to push for a bigger role. Let’s see if he can get one or not.