Arsenal: The subtle brilliance of Reiss Nelson being rewarded

Arsenal have had a lot of stand-out performers early in the season, and though Reiss Nelson isn’t one of them, he deserves what he is now getting.

I feel bad to be over here dancing that Henrikh Mkhitaryan is going out on loan (for context, I’m writing this as the deal is underway, it hasn’t been officially announced yet). I feel like I’m disrespecting the player or something, so let me say that I obviously think the world of Mkhitaryan, but for practicalities sake, this is something Arsenal needed. And something Reiss Nelson deserved.

Mkhitaryan still nicked some playing time against Tottenham instead of Nelson, and Mkhitaryan was, yet again, as underwhelming as he has been for the majority of his time in North London.

Nelson, meanwhile, is young, enthusiastic, and brimming for opportunity. And, as of lately, he’s more deserving of it than ever before.

It’s hard for a kid like him. Nicolas Pepe just came in and blocked the way. Pepe is dribbling better, creating chances, shooting better, and just is all around a better player right now.

But on the down-low, Nelson has actually been quietly effective this year, and Unai Emery is noticing.

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For instance, did you know that Reiss Nelson is creating as many chances per 90 minutes played as Dani Ceballos? So while I sit here and swoon over Ceballos and his creativity, Nelson has, in the small sample size that we have, done the exact same.

Did you know that of all players on the team, the third most effective dribbler (again, small sample size, but still) is Reiss Nelson? Only Nicolas Pepe and Dani Ceballos do better.

And my favorite stat to judge these guys by—possession loss. Nelson is a distant 11th on the team in poor touches. Even Granit Xhaka has more (though not by much, so don’t get any crazy ideas). And in terms of dispossession, Nelson is behind Pepe, Ceballos, and Alexandre Lacazette (and Mkhitaryan).

Nelson is putting in the work. The main thing he needs right now is time to work that work. Time to get his feet underneath him and really express himself. Moving on Mkhitaryan opens that window of opportunity and if I was a betting man, I would wager he will take the chance.

Midweek competitions are coming as well, and that was always going to be Nelson’s main stage. Good things are ahead for this young man, and they just got better.