Does Reiss Nelson still have a future at Arsenal?

With 12 month left on his contract, Nelson is not short of suitors

Per the ever-reliable James Benge of CBS Sports, Nelson has attracted attention from sources domestic and abroad this summer. Crystal Palace, Brighton, and newly-promoted Brentford are all interested, along with a few Bundesliga teams that have extended feelers, and long-time Arsenal rivals (goodness, it pains me to say that) Olympiacos, of Greece.

And honestly, that’s the type of role I can see him filling. I think he’d be brilliant as an important player or high-production for a smaller club, much like those with which he is linked. And Olympiacos especially could be an attractive destination for the young Englishman, as they have a habit of turning around stalling careers, or developing players who need game time.

Arsenal have offered Nelson a contract extension, with a view of loaning him out for this upcoming season, but with talks progressing slowly, the 21-year-old looks unlikely to sign, especially with another campaign of limited minutes glaring on the horizon.

The Gunners, per reports, are trying to secure his services so that he cannot be signed on a pre-contract in January for free, but with Nelson unmoved, a transition away from the Emirates may be likely.

And to answer my own question, I don’t personally believe Nelson has a locked-in place in the squad. We’ve seen flashes of brilliance from him since he debuted at 17, but that’s all they’ve been – flashes: fleeting and bright, but very much temporary.

Unless he would choose to follow the path of many young wingers and transition to a full-back role, there is little chance of him starting this season, which is a shame. And with Arsenal almost certainly moving for a full-back, I don’t see it happening. I don’t want to see him leave, but I’m not exactly holding my breath.