Sky pundit praises 23-year-old Arsenal player during frustrating first-half at West Ham

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Alan Smith praised Reiss Nelson towards the end of the first-half of the Carabao Cup tie between West Ham and Arsenal on Wednesday.

Smith was speaking on Sky Sports (broadcast on 1/11; 20:06) after the winger produced a brilliant run into the penalty area which resulted in his shot being blocked.

It proved to be a frustrating first-half for Arsenal at the London Stadium. A Ben White own goal gave the home side the lead. And the Gunners were understandably annoyed that a potential foul on Aaron Ramsdale before the goal went unpunished.

Reiss Nelson praised after frustrating first-half for Arsenal

The game provided Mikel Arteta with the opportunity to make a number of changes. And Reiss Nelson was one of those to come into the side. It was his goal that saw Arsenal get through in the previous round against Brentford.

Nelson was unable to repeat the trick on Wednesday. However, he was one of Arsenal’s brighter players during a tricky first 45 minutes. Certainly, Alan Smith praised him after one of his bursts into the box.

“He’s done well in this first-half, Reiss Nelson. He’s been a threat down that right-hand side,” he told Sky Sports.

Winger has toughest task in Gunners squad

Nelson has one of the toughest jobs in the Arsenal squad. Of course, he is looking to force his way into the team in the position where Bukayo Saka regularly steals the show.

Mikel Arteta has suggested that Nelson has special qualities. But he has had to be patient for his opportunities.

When he has played, Nelson has rarely let Arsenal down. In fact, that goal against Bournemouth last season is going to live long in the memory of many supporters.

But trying to get in the side when Saka is a teammate is such a daunting task. That may perhaps leave Nelson with some food for thought ahead of some of the future windows.