Arsenal

Arsenal: Charles Watts discusses Reiss Nelson’s future

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Image for Arsenal: Charles Watts discusses Reiss Nelson’s future

Arsenal insider Charles Watts has given his views on the future of Reiss Nelson at the club following comments made by Mikel Arteta.

The 21-year-old, valued at £9m on Transfermarkt, has been on the periphery for the vast majority of his time at the Emirates, very rarely able to get a consistent run of games in the first team. Even a rather impressive season out on loan at German side TSG Hoffenheim didn’t do him that many favours in the long run, as he’s struggling to get into the team at this moment in time.

Arteta spoke about the situation after the game against Newcastle United at the weekend, where he took some responsibility for his lack of minutes saying “I feel sorry that we don’t have other competitions to use him because he deserves more. If he doesn’t play more, it’s my fault.”

And speaking on the latest edition of his show (16:19), Watts felt that Arteta’s comments, combined with his lack of playing time indicated that there isn’t much of a future for him at the club:

“He will be off in the summer, I’m pretty certain of that. Mikel clearly doesn’t think he’s up to it, compared to some of the other options he has in attack whether you agree with that or not. You know, many of you probably say, ‘well he should be playing ahead of Willian’, and I wouldn’t disagree with that on the performances we’ve seen this season.

“But the fact is, Mikel is the manager, and he clearly doesn’t think he warrants a place in a starting spot at the moment, so it’s going to be best for all parties that one is a relationship that separates in the summer. Reiss needs to go out and play and there’s no point in staying at Arsenal now in the summer if he’s not going to get that game time under Mikel Arteta.”

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TIF Thoughts on Charles Watts’ comments about Reiss Nelson’s future

If Watts feels that his future will be away from the Emirates, Arteta will essentially have the job of making him look as attractive as possible to other teams.

If they can get through against Villarreal on Thursday, then the rest of the season probably needs to be used to put players ‘in the shop window’ to try and drum up as much interest as possible and drive up their value whilst they rest the more senior players, and Nelson should be one of those players.

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Freelance sports journalist & broadcaster.