‘Showing it every day’: Arteta stunned by how good 22-year-old Arsenal talent has been in training

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has dropped another big hint regarding potential game time for Reiss Nelson tonight.

The Gunners manager, speaking to the Evening Standard, says the 22-year-old “now… needs to perform”.

Nelson also dropped a hint regarding Nelson’s future, saying he could “100 percent” sign a new deal if he does well.

The 22-year-old looks set to play in the Europa League meeting with Bodo/Glimt at the Emirates Stadium.

Nelson hasn’t played a competitive game for Arsenal since coming off the bench against Brentford in the first game of last season.

The “electrifying” talent spent last season on loan at Feyenoord and was linked with another move away this summer.

However, Nelson remained at Arsenal and has been working hard to stake a claim for game time under Arteta.

Now, it looks as though the Hale End graduate may finally get the opportunity as the 2021 Norwegian champions come to town.

In addition, Nelson’s contract runs out next summer, but Arteta has made it clear the winger has the opportunity to win himself a new deal.

“Yeah, 100 percent,” said Arteta, when asked if Nelson could sign a new contract instead of leaving for free next summer.

“That is why he is here, because we want to have that opportunity with him.

“He was willing to take that opportunity and again it’s down to him to show it now on the pitch.

“Out there [in training] he is showing it every day.

“How he is working, a lot of things that he has changed and improved in many things that, in our opinion, could have been better.

“Now he is on the right track, now he needs to perform.”

Nelson is an exciting young player who just needs a chance to show what he can do.

Arteta has shown great patience with players who have gone on to shine – William Saliba to name but one.

And perhaps tonight will see Nelson burst back into the manager’s first-team plans.