Arsenal: Does Mikel Arteta truly believe in Reiss Nelson?

Prior to his recent hamstring injury, Reiss Nelson was strongly admired by Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta. Upon his return, we will now see if Arteta truly believes in the young winger.

Reiss Nelson started both of Mikel Arteta’s first two games as Arsenal head coach. It was a telling selection. After a difficult first appearance in a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, Arteta was seen hugging Nelson as the pair walked off the pitch. He had his hand around Nelson’s shoulder, his other hand on Nelson’s chest, and was clearly instructing him on events that took place during the 90 minutes. Arteta was coaching.

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Arteta clearly believed in Nelson’s ability. In fact, he was not shy about heralding the potential of the 20-year-old. Speaking later in mid-January, Arteta said:

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"“Reiss has the potential to do whatever he wants. If he wants to do it, wants to learn and wants to challenge himself he can be a top, top player for this football club.”"

That is rather bullish, to say the least.

Since that time, Nelson has dealt with a right hamstring strain, missing the past month of action. However, during the two-week winter break, he returned to full training and, per an official club announcement on Friday morning, is now available for selection again. It would be surprising to see him ushered straight back into the starting XI, especially with Gabriel Martinelli now fit and firing, but Nelson might be a larger part of Arteta’s plans than many thought he might be.

And Nelson is confident that he will be the beneficiary of Arteta’s highly praised coaching. Speaking with The Guardian this week, Nelson said:

"“Now is a great time to have him as a manager because he understands what I am good at. He’s going to give me the encouragement when I need it, and if I am not doing the right stuff he is going to tell me. I have all my belief in Mikel and I think he is going to make me into a top player.”"

Nelson compared the developments of Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane at Manchester City, two players who have analogous skillsets to his raw, speed-orientated, dribbling-focused ability, and suggested that he too could excel under the tutelage of Arteta. And by that measure, very few would doubt him. Arteta’s coaching on an individual basis is proven. But does the Spaniard truly believe in Nelson?

When Nelson started upon Arteta’s arrival, Nicolas Pepe was still figuring things out under the new head coach, his work ethic called into question, Bukayo Saka was playing left-back, and Martinelli was out injured. These three are now fit, aware of their responsibilities, and ready to play. Plus you can throw in Eddie Nketiah who has returned from his loan spell at Leeds United. Arteta has plenty of offensive options.

Nelson has outrageous potential. And Arteta is a believer in that potential, in principle. But there are other players fighting for starting spots in the Arsenal team, and, unless Arteta truly believes in Nelson’s ability, the young Englishman might find himself on the outside looking in.