Quantcast
Home   >   News   >   Wenger confirms 17-year-old Arsenal star to be given first team chance

Wenger confirms 17-year-old Arsenal star to be given first team chance

By on September 7, 2017

Reiss Nelson Arsenal

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s move to Liverpool has opened the door for Reiss Nelson to make a step-up to the first team.

Nelson has emerged as one of the most exciting products of the Arsenal youth system in recent years and he caught the eye with some impressive performances during our pre-season tour of Australia and China.

The 17-year-old was voted Man of the Match against Sydney FC and later produced a magnificent performance against Benfica in the Emirates Cup.

Nelson has continued his fine pre-season form for the Arsenal U23’s having scored five goals in his three games so far and was also on the score-sheet for the England U19’s against Germany in midweek.

A growing number of Arsenal fans have been calling for Wenger to promote the teenager to the first team squad and the boss has now suggested that he’s ready to give Nelson his chance following Oxlade-Chamberlain’s exit.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference this morning ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Bournemouth, Wenger told Arsenal.com:

“At the end of the day, you make decisions that you choose one or the other one. That doesn’t take away any of the quality of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, I think he is a great player but sometimes it opens the door for some younger players like Reiss Nelson or Joe Willock, or players who are in behind and get an opportunity that they wouldn’t get.”

Nelson is obviously an exciting talent and hopefully he’ll go on to forge a big career at Arsenal but we shouldn’t put too much pressure on the kid just yet. Let’s give him some game-time in the cups and Europa League this season and see how he does.