Rio Ferdinand says Reiss Nelson needs to kick on after Arsenal win

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Rio Ferdinand has told his YouTube channel that Reiss Nelson needs to kick on now after his superb performance for Arsenal in their win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Nelson went into the weekend still awaiting his first Premier League appearance of the campaign. And there probably had been some doubts over whether the 22-year-old would make the grade at the Emirates.

There is still work to be done. Obviously, Forest are struggling in the Premier League right now. And Nelson has not been able to really kick on up until now.

Nelson needs to kick on

But Sunday definitely has the potential to be a game-changing moment for Nelson. The attacking midfielder came off the bench during the first-half to replace Bukayo Saka. And he went on to score twice in the 5-0 win for the Gunners.

Ferdinand was clearly not surprised to see Nelson steal the show for Arsenal. But he insisted that the display will not mean anywhere near as much if he does not manage to build on the performance.

“The big thing for him is he can’t allow this to be just another moment,” he told his YouTube channel. “This has to become, not the norm, scoring two, but the norm in being relied upon in Arsenal’s setup. He needs to be the go-to guy when, if a Saka or Martinelli aren’t fit, or if they’re out of form, or if the game’s not going well, then all of a sudden he’s pushing to be a starter in this team. Because his potential, as a kid, that’s what he was meant to be.

“But he has to go on now. It can’t be that you’ve had this moment now and celebrate it and we don’t see him again for another year and he goes on a couple of loans.”

Arsenal starlet will be aware of challenge which lies ahead

Nelson will be well aware just how critical the coming months are going to be for him. Given the quality Arsenal have in their ranks, Nelson is somehow almost at the point where he is no longer a youngster.

And he is vying for a chance in a position where Arsenal boast such depth. Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have been absolutely outstanding all season. And Emile Smith Rowe will hopefully rediscover his best form when back from injury.

So it is imperative that Nelson takes the opportunities which come his way.

Mikel Arteta clearly rates him highly. He has been labelled a ‘special‘ player by the Gunners boss.

Nelson has whetted the appetite with his performance at the weekend. But Ferdinand is right to suggest that it is too early to get carried away.