Mikel Arteta makes Reiss Nelson claim after Arsenal win

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Mikel Arteta has insisted – in comments reported by Football London – that Reiss Nelson deserves to play more as he lauded how hard the Arsenal youngster is working.

It has been a disappointing campaign for the 21-year-old. He has only made two appearances in the Premier League, while his last first-team game in any competition came back in January.

More recently, Nelson has been back in the match day squad in the Premier League. However, after four games on the bench, the academy graduate dropped back out of the side for Sunday’s trip to Newcastle.

And when asked about his struggles to get into the side, Arteta hinted that he feels guilty about not using him more.

“With Reiss I would like to give him more,” he said, as reported by Football London. “He’s a boy who trains really hard, he wants to do extra all the time but it’s very difficult at the moment with the players that we have to fit him.

“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.”

It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Nelson – who earns £15,000-a-week, according to Spotrac. Arsenal do not lack attacking options. And it is arguably an ominous sign that he has featured a lot less this year.

With the summer just around the corner, it may not be a huge surprise to some if he does move on at the end of the season.

Many supporters will be hoping that he gets the chance to head out on loan. Joe Willock has been outstanding since leaving temporarily.

That spell has left Arteta with food for thought on Willock. And that should perhaps influence Nelson as he weighs up what his future holds.