Arsenal fans liked what they saw from Reiss Nelson against PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday evening.
Reiss Nelson was handed a rare start as Arsenal rounded off their Champions League group stage campaign with a 1-1 draw against PSV Eindhoven.
Even prior to kick off, the Gunners were confirmed as group winners and therefore through to the knockout rounds of the competition. As such, there was little riding on the outcome of this match, and Mikel Arteta took the opportunity to name a heavily rotated starting XI.
Nelson was one of a number of fringe squad players to be given the nod against the Dutch side. Aaron Ramsdale, Cedric Soares, Jakub Kiwior, and Mohamed Elneny also came into the team.
On the night, Nelson was the Gunners’ most impressive player. He showed great energy and enthusiasm as he popped up all over the pitch in an effort to make things happen. The 24-year-old Hale End academy graduate played a key role in Arsenal’s goal, as he assisted Eddie Nketiah’s maiden Champions League strike.
Arteta has talked up Nelson’s qualities in the past. The Spanish coach has previously hailed the player’s “special talent,” as quoted by the club’s official website. However, he has also shown a reluctance to use the former England under-21 international.
Arsenal fans call for Mikel Arteta to make more use of Reiss Nelson
So far this season, Nelson has made six Premier League appearances, all off the bench, which has amounted to just an hour’s worth of football altogether. Certainly, in terms of being the back up to left-winger Gabriel Martinelli, Nelson finds himself behind Leandro Trossard in that particular pecking order.
Nelson was used on the right flank against PSV. However, as a right-footer he would be able to replicate Martinelli’s tactical function on the opposite wing. Arsenal fans now want to see him given a chance in that part of the pitch.
Taking to X, one supporter said, “I don’t want to see Trossard come on at LW for Martinelli again, just simply look at how Reiss is performing. He’s so quality. The burst/driving runs, close control, and tight-knit ball mastery are brilliant. Deserves much more game time than he’s been given.”
Another fan agreed, stating, “Reiss should be the player we look to bring on late in games when subbing off Martinelli.” It remains to be seen if Nelson did enough against PSV to convince Arteta that he is deserving of more regular game time.
One fan said, “Reiss just impresses me so much whenever he plays.” Another supporter insisted, “Reiss Nelson, you deserve more minutes.”
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