Mikel Arteta made several changes for Arsenal’s comfortable but unremarkable victory over Luton Town, with fringe players given a rare opportunity to shine.
Thomas Partey made his first start of 2024, whilst Emile Smith Rowe shone on his rare start, playing a part in both of Arsenal’s goals and earning plaudits for his overall performance.
However, whilst Smith Rowe reminded everyone of his quality, winger Reiss Nelson dropped a performance which raised more questions than answers.
Nelson made his first Premier League start since 2020, with Bukayo Saka absent from the squad as a precaution, and took his spot on the right wing, with Leandro Trossard on the left.
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Reiss Nelson’s performance on Arsenal return vs Luton Town
Nelson started in Arteta’s very first match as Arsenal manager, and returned to this same role on the right wing. However, despite some impressive cameo appearances at times this season, he did not showcase the best of his ability against Luton.
GOAL have highlighted his performance as one which was ultimately underwhelming despite some promising moments, pointing out that whilst he “worked hard,” he wasn’t on “the same wavelength” as his teammates.
One impressive aspect of his performance was that he completed 100% of his 33 attempted passes, as well as creating a chance for Kai Havertz, and helping force Daiki Hashioka into an own goal from Smith Rowe’s pass.
However, this highlighted a safe performance from Nelson, rather than one in which he grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. His best performances have seen him deliver in front of goal, whilst taking on defenders with his speed and skill and darting in behind opposition right-backs, when on the left wing.
His display against Luton was one in which the winger appeared to lack confidence, and was fearful of making a crucial error on a rare start, and simply acted as someone to recycle the ball with his teammates, rather than making risky dribbles or crosses, or injecting any speed into the attack.
Reiss Nelson faces uncertain future at Arsenal
Nelson has been linked with a move away, and Arsenal have also been linked with several wingers including Nico Williams.
Arteta needs a speedy winger who can be trusted to replace Saka or Gabriel Martinelli’s speed and creativity, and whilst Nelson may have shown glimpses of this ability in the past, he did not take his chance against Luton to show that he could be an internal solution.
The 24-year-old is unlikely to start again for the rest of the season, and it seems likely that he will leave given the lack of potential for further starts.
Nelson was once one of Hale End’s brightest talents, and at his best, he has shown incredible technical ability, but it now appears that he did not do enough on what may have been his final chance to secure his Arsenal future.