Arsenal: Reiss Nelson doesn’t need to replicate Jadon Sancho

Reiss Nelson’s loan move to Hoffenheim mirrored that of Jadon Sancho’s pre-permanent transfer, but the Arsenal youngster doesn’t need to duplicate.

Arsenal fans have been going nuts over Reiss Nelson, and for just cause. When he broke through at 17, he already looked set to conquer the footballing world, and while he obviously needed a bit more time, he is finding it at Hoffenheim.

The Bundesliga has emerged as a place that young players can go to find consistent playing time against top-tier opposition. Young managers are willing to err on the side of youth, and Nelson fits into that game plan pretty well.

Granted, Nelson isn’t the first, nor will he be the last. Look at just these past couple of years. Jadon Sancho turned his loan to Borussia Dortmund into a permanent move, severing ties with Manchester City altogether.

And, naturally, it was only a matter of time before the rumors started swirling that Nelson could be in store to do the exact same thing – cut ties with Arsenal and declare his future for Hoffenheim, where he is starting to his his stride.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

But there are key differences between Nelson’s situation and Sancho’s. Sancho was buried behind a long line of superstar wide attackers. Such names as Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling were only the tip of the iceberg.

Not only were these wide attackers among the best, but they were young. Sancho didn’t have a lot of prospects to break into that set-up without significant changes or some serious luck.

So he left for a club that was better equipped to utilize his talents.

Nelson’s prospects at the Emirates are far brighter. The Gunners right now have all of zero wingers to block his way. If you count the players that have suited up as wingers, though aren’t actually wingers, the prospects don’t dim at all. Both Ozil and Mkhitaryan are getting up there in age, and aren’t much of a hindrance. Aaron Ramsey is likely on his way out.

Aubameyang is up near 30 too, so while he’s a block now, he won’t be forever. Danny Welbeck is also a question mark over his future.

Only Alex Iwobi stands in the way, and he is more of a No. 10 than a winger anyway.

By circumstance alone, there is nothing to worry about here. And Nelson himself played down the idea of making the move permanent. There’s nothing to gain for him. His time is coming.