Interview

Nelson - I think this could be my time

Reiss Nelson's confidence is at an all-time high.

After returning from a season-long loan spell, which saw him net his first senior goals, the 19-year-old started our first two Premier League games of the season, helping us beat Newcastle United and Burnley.

 

Nelson dropped to the bench as Unai Emery brought in Nicolas Pepe for Saturday's defeat at Liverpool, but the teenage winger says all the competition for places will only aid his development.

 

"All the competition that's here, all the new wingers Arsenal have signed... I think this could be my time," he said. "I need to just keep training hard and getting all the information from the coaches and the players. If I do that, I'm going to have a big, big shout this season.

 

"It's about taking those steps, doing the easy thing and getting the basics right first. Once I do that, I think I will get chances. Then it's up to me to perform and do well for the team. 

 

"Unai's very positive and always telling you to express yourself, but also he's got that thing where he'll tell you if you do something wrong," Nelson added. "I think that's good for a coach to have two sides: the jokey side and the fiery side.

 

"For me, especially, it helps me a lot to continue to improve and keep going. He helps a lot of the young players because there were a lot of them who came on the pre-season tour. He told them to be themselves, if they made a mistake just carry on. He helps them grow and gives them a great chance."