‘It’s a shame’: Arteta shares why ‘special’ Arsenal player hasn’t been playing

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed why Reiss Nelson has been away from the squad over the last few weeks.

The Gunners’ only positive this season has been the performances of our young players. Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have been among our best players in our last two games.

Eddie Nketiah has also had an excellent year but the one player Arteta has been hugely impressed with is Nelson. The 21-year-old was labelled as ‘a special player’ by the Arsenal boss earlier this year, but he has surprisingly been left out of the squad recently.

Arsenal haven’t included him in their injury updates over the last few weeks either which has left some fans confused. Arteta has now confirmed that the youngster is indeed injured and has called his absence a real shame.

He said, as per Arsenal.com: “Yeah, he had a little niggle and he’s not been feeling 100 per cent. He had a muscular issue and he’s been in and out of training. He’s not 100 per cent and it’s a shame because I felt like he was getting into his performance levels and he was starting to have some really good games.”

“He was starting to build that momentum and this little injury has set him back a little bit. But, I think this week has been much better. It was my mistake to not verify the situation with what’s been happening, but he’s not been 100 per cent fit and that’s the reason why he’s been out.”

Nelson could have nailed down a starting spot

Arsenal have struggled on the right flank this season. Willian is proving to be a terrible signing, while Nicolas Pepe is yet to find the consistency he needs to take his game to the next level.

Saka has been brilliant there over the last two weeks but Nelson could really have made the right-wing his own. The 21-year-old has the pace and and the skills to trouble the opposition full-back, but sadly, injuries have hurt his chances.

Arteta did not reveal when we can expect to see Nelson back in action. There have been rumours about a potential loan move next month, and frankly, that wouldn’t be a bad option for him to get regular game time under his belt.