'Really pushing': Arteta says two Arsenal fringe players are working so hard in training
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has praised Gunners duo Kieran Tierney and Reiss Nelson for their attitude and patience this season.
Both players have been on the fringes of the Arsenal starting XI this season, with just nine starts between them.
Tierney was one of the first names on Arteta’s team sheet last season, but most of his starts this term have been in the Europa League.
However, Nelson is starting to feature more for Arsenal, and his future doesn’t seem as uncertain as it was ahead of this season.
Indeed, the 22-year-old got his first Premier League appearance for over a year when he came on against Nottingham Forest.
And he took his chance superbly, bagging a brace and an assist in the 5-0 hammering of the Reds.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Europa League meeting with FC Zurich, Arteta replied to a question regarding Tierney and Nelson’s mentality.
“I think it’s a lot about an understanding of each one’s role in the team and that changes every single week,” football.london quotes Arteta as saying.
“You’re talking about two players that in the past they play matches and some weeks they’re on the bench.
“It doesn’t mean that they don’t push, it’s absolutely the contrary. They’ve been really pushing and doing their best to play.
“But in the end, we have to make decisions and they’ve been really respectful as we expect all the players to be respectful when they are on the pitch as well.”
Strength in depth and a balanced dressing room
Arsenal really seem to have the perfect balance this season.
They have a core of players who start most games, as well as players who can seamlessly slot in when needed.
It can’t be nice for Tierney to go from regular starter to squad rotation, but he seems to be getting on with it.
Meanwhile, Nelson appeared likely to leave in the summer, but he’s done well to get himself back in contention.
This season is unlike any other that has come before, due to the winter World Cup.
As a result, the fixture congestion has been something else this term.
But Arsenal seem to be best placed to navigate all those fixtures and hopefully emerge with silverware at the end of the campaign.
