3 reasons why Reiss Nelson deserves to start against Nottingham Forest

3. Actions speak louder than words

Arsenal recently offered Nelson a third contract proposal and the boss has previously described him as a “really important” squad member. However, two rejections suggest the player does not feel truly appreciated and his minutes this season make it easy to understand why.

Although he enjoyed a constructive loan spell at Feyenoord last year, Nelson has started just five matches across all competitions in 2022/23 and is yet to make the first eleven for a Premier League game this campaign.

Meanwhile, an appearance against Forest in the reverse fixture marks the one domestic occasion his game time exceeded 30 minutes, and that owed entirely to Bukayo Saka’s first-half injury. For a player in need of regular involvement, Nelson will only stay if that ambition can be realised at Arsenal.

He has proved his worth in cameos and Martinelli’s absence creates an opening in the first team. If the club really want him to stay, now is the time to show it.