Arsenal: Mikel Arteta showing belief in Reiss Nelson at every turn

Reiss Nelson is sometimes the forgotten young emerging Arsenal star. But Mikel Arteta inherently believes in the 20-year-old’s talent, and he proves it at every turn.

Every person has their own opinions on the quality of individual players. Some think that Cristiano Ronaldo is better than Lionel Messi. Others think that Jordan Henderson is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. More still think that Olivier Giroud was useless. Football is a game of opinion.

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While that is obviously true for supporters, who are often more passionate in the opinions they hold and vociferous in their voicing of said opinions, it is not thought in the same way for managers, coaches and even other players. But make no mistake, managers have their own beliefs when it comes to the quality, or lack thereof, of individual players.

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So far as Arsenal head coach, Mikel Arteta has routinely proved that he is a great believer in the talent and potential of Reiss Nelson. There are plenty of young players that have flourished at the Emirates this season. But amidst all of the emerging talent at the club, Nelson has been somewhat forgotten, slipping behind the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and even Eddie Nketiah in the fans’ pecking order.

But Arteta quite obviously rates Nelson very highly and is keen to make the most of his natural ability. Nelson started Arteta’s first two matches. Even with a £72 million club-record signing ready in waiting, it was Nelson who Arteta trusted to start on the right wing. Pepe since replaced Nelson and then injury struck, but as soon as Nelson was back in the squad, Arteta was pushing him into a prominent role.

Nelson starred in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Portsmouth in the FA Cup, his first appearance since returning from a month on the sidelines. Nelson played a key role in both goals and was seen as the Gunners’ primary threat. In his interview with BT Sport after the match, Arteta was glowing in his praise of Nelson:

"“Reiss [Nelson] is a special player and can eliminate players one on one. He’s been out for a while but he’s back now and he showed what he’s capable of doing.”"

And then, on Saturday against West Ham United, with Arsenal needing a goal to snatch a late victory, with Gabriel Martinelli, Joe Willock and Matteo Guendouzi on the bench, it was Nelson who Arteta turned to, the young Englishman replacing Pepe in a like-for-like swap on the right flank for the final 21 minutes.

Arteta’s actions tell a very clear story: his opinion of Nelson is an extremely high one. Whether the supporters have come round to this line of thinking regarding the young winger, it is less certain. There still seems to be a large degree of doubt and uncertainty regarding his ultimate potential, especially as the likes of Saka and Martinelli have flourished.

But for Arteta, Nelson is as capable as any young player at the club. And if nothing else, that is an extremely prospect to watch unfold. Perhaps, then, it is Arteta’s opinion that is the most accurate.