Arsenal’s academy has been producing some of the hottest properties in the world of football and the likes of Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith-Rowe and Joe Willock feature in this list. One such young talent who has been making the headlines this summer is Reiss Nelson.
The promising 18-year-old has been with Arsenal since 2007 and he made his debut in the Premier League under Arsene Wenger back in January of 2018. Nelson is a versatile player and can play in anywhere in the attack. The teenager is currently part of England’s under – 19 squad.
Having made 16 appearances across all competitions in Europe for the Gunners, the youngster also managed to score 10 goals for the reserve side as well, for which Nelson was named Premier League 2 Player of the Year award.
Despite notching a game against Lazio in the pre-season where he put a formidable performance it looks like Unai Emery wouldn’t be able to give him enough first-team action with the likes of Mesut Özil, Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the squad
Meanwhile, having left just a few months on his contract, Nelson signed a new long-term contract at North London.
📝 @ReissNelson9 has signed a new long-term contract#WeAreTheArsenal 🔴
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 31, 2018
Hoffenheim who have shown their interest in the youngster have managed to sign the 18-year-old on a season-long loan on the deadline day.
In his recent press conference, Emery revealed that the youngster needed more time on the pitch which isn’t possible at arsenal and moving to Hoffenheim would be the best possible option for both Arsenal and Hoffenheim
“It’s a very big chance for him and the level there is important,” said new boss.
“We think because he is very young, he needs to take a new level to play, a new level also to take minutes, to take experience.
“We decided together: club, coaches and the player. It’s a good chance for him to take minutes in and play, and then come back with us because I think he is signing a new contract with us.”
Hoffenheim’s manager Julian Nangelesman has always been vocal about his admiration towards Nelson and following the departure of Serge Gnabry, whose was on loan last season from Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga side needed someone to fill the boots.
As I understand it Reiss Nelson’s new deal is four years with an option for a further year. He struggled to fulfill his potential last year but still a lot of belief in his ability.
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) August 31, 2018
Nelson will be wearing No.9 shirt in Germany and could potentially be leading the attack.
“Reiss has similar traits to Serge, which is his pace in one-on-one situations,” said Nagelsmann.
“These are qualities that we don’t have much of in the squad. It was my wish that we replenish those qualities again.
“If it works, we get a player with a lot of speed, who can do a lot of things.”
