Arsenal Vs Portsmouth: Now or never for Reiss Nelson

Reiss Nelson has watched several young stars shine at Arsenal. With an FA Cup match against Portsmouth on Monday night, could his chance to produce finally be here?

The development of Arsenal’s young players might well be the story of the season for the Gunners. From those that were brought in by the club and have exploded onto the first-team scene to the plethora of academy graduates now fighting for and earning substantial roles in the squad, there is plenty of young talent to get excited about at the Emirates.

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However, while many are shining in north London, some are being left behind a little, despite previously being the heralded name that everyone loses their minds over. This is where Reiss Nelson finds himself.

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It is almost three years ago that he broke onto the scene. He then enjoyed a prosperous first season under Arsene Wenger, endured a tumultuous year on loan at Hoffenheim, suffering several injuries and ultimately dropping out of the team despite a tremendous start to the campaign, and now finds himself towards the bottom of a rather large queue of young prospects that he was previously at the top of.

Bukayo Saka is the talk of the academy town as Arsenal’s current number one left-back. Gabriel Martinelli has taken the team and league by storm in his first season at the club after moving from the fourth tier of Brazilian football. Matteo Guendouzi is still showing signs of promise in central midfield, while even Eddie Nketiah has returned from a frustrating six-month loan spell at Leeds United in which playing time was limited and has started the last two Premier League matches.

Nelson, meanwhile, started the first two league games of the season, subsequently dropped out of the team, then found himself usurped by Saka, who exploded into Unai Emery’s thinking with a brilliant goal against Eintracht Frankfurt, immediately then shuttled into the Premier League team at Nelson’s expense, then started Mikel Arteta’s first two games as head coach only to suffer another muscular problem and miss the last month.

Despite these niggling problems that continually rob him of any momentum, the 20-year-old is now fit and ready to feature — he even made the bench last week, though was never introduced from off it. So, when Arsenal travel to Portsmouth in their FA Cup fifth-round tie on Monday night, perhaps Nelson might finally have a chance to thrust himself front and centre.

Arteta does seem keen on the young winger. He has spoken publicly about his admiration for Nelson’s talent and ushered him straight into the team, ahead of a fit Nicolas Pepe, keen to provide the youngster with serious minutes. But now it is time for Nelson to repay that faith.

You see, while Arteta may believe in Nelson, chances are running out for Nelson to prove that he is capable of living up to his almighty billing. While Saka, Martinelli and co. and are flourishing, Nelson has been sat at home, a helpless onlooker. It is time for him to take the mantle and shine under the limelight, starting against Portsmouth on Monday.