Arsenal have opened talks with Reiss Nelson over a new contract at the Emirates Stadium, just days after he scored a dramatic 97th minute winner against Bournemouth.
The 23-year-old has been sidelined for much of the season through injury, and has only managed two substitute appearances in the Premier League.
However, they have been telling. Nelson grabbed two goals against Nottingham Forest in a 5-0 win earlier in the season, before coming up with a goal and an assist against the Cherries on Saturday to turn the game around, and keep Arsenal five points clear atop the Premier League.
In turn, it means that Nelson (for now) holds the record for the most goal contributions from the substitutes bench this season, taking his tally to four.
And, with injuries to all of Leandro Trossard, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus, Nelson could be set for more game time imminently.
Out of contract this summer as it stands, reports now claim that a new deal is being worked on, with Arsenal ‘confident’ of keeping the 23-year-old and Nelson himself keen to remain at the Emirates Stadium, and Mikel Arteta keen to continue working with the winger.
“I always saw the potential,” the Gunners boss revealed after the dramatic win over the Cherries. “The talent and the desire for him to do it, but he’s at a different level right now. I think emotionally, the experiences that he had helped him.
“Football-wise, it was my decision in the last two games not to play him because we had other options. But he was knocking on the door, he’s been training really good and it’s a good lesson for me and for the coaches that we need him and that he can be really important for the team.”'
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