3 standout players from comeback win over Bournemouth

3. Reiss Nelson

The breakout of certain players from Hale End has been quick. Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe burst onto the scene and have quickly become integrated into the squad. Other players take more time to develop and find their place. Reiss Nelson belongs to the latter category.

Repeated loan spells and time on the sidelines with injury have dampened the excitement around a player who impressed in the academy and occasionally with the first team. Just coming back from injury, Nelson came on late in the game. But what an impact he had.

He played as if he had something to prove. Dribbling directly, passing with accuracy and adding attacking impetus in and around the box, the academy product took the game by the scruff of the neck. He notched an assist for Ben White’s second before scoring an unforgettable winner at the death.

Arsenal’s beautiful redemption story has logged three goals and two assists in 86 Premier League minutes off the bench this season. While not everyone has been confident in whether the player could make it at the club, Nelson is proving to be a crucial squad player. His time at Arsenal has been tumultuous, but this period of hard work and good form could be what he needs to stake his claim. With the Europa League coming up as well, Nelson will continue to have chances to prove his worth to the manager. Let’s hope he takes them.

Mikel Arteta’s team talk in the dressing room at halftime would have been one for the ages, as the celebrations were in the locker room after full-time. While fans couldn’t see these moments, they got a brilliant showing on the pitch. Everyone put in a shift, with the three players above at a level above. The emotion at full-time showed how much every single person at the club cares about the team and how invested they are in (hopefully) creating history. After all, emotion is why we all watch the beautiful game.