Mikel Arteta has admitted that Reiss Nelson's injury isn't "good news" - but insists that Arsenal's January transfer plans won't change.
Gunners winger Nelson was forced to make way only 20 minutes into Arsenal's 2-0 friendly defeat by Italian giants Juventus at Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The 23-year-old academy graduate had been enjoying a resurgence in his Gunners career before the World Cup break, registering two goals and two assists in his last four appearances.
But after looking sharp during Arsenal's run of friendlies this month, Nelson is set for a period on the sidelines. "We don't know the extent of the injury," Arteta told reporters after losing to Juventus. "The fact he had to leave the field straight away means it's not good news."
But even with Nelson's injury in mind, the Gunners boss says that he won't be altering his plans for the January transfer window. "We know what we have to do," Arteta affirmed. "That doesn't change our plans."
The injury blow comes at a devastating time for Nelson, who struggled on loan at Feyenoord last season and failed to make an immediate impact upon his return to north London this summer. But the ex- England under-20 international found a way into Arteta's side at the end of October and promptly staked his claim.
Scoring two goals and registering an assist as a first-half substitute in the Arsenal's 5-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, Nelson was suddenly full of confidence. Nevertheless, he exclusively told Mirror Football last month that neither he nor his high-flying teammates were getting ahead of themselves - despite boasting five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.
"I feel like the players have kind of – they are not thinking about the title, we are just thinking about each game as it comes. The manager has instilled that in us," Nelson admitted. "After every game, we have a picture on the board of the plan for the next game.
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"So, it is game by game, step by step, it is about how everyone can improve themselves and make the team get better. Of course, the title is something that we all dream of and want to do, but that is not worth thinking about all the time."
Nelson is one of the few players who were at the club to experience Arteta's arrival three years ago and he firmly believes that the good work which the Spaniard is receiving praise for has been a long time coming. "I feel like it has always been the same, he has always had the same blueprint in terms of what he wants to do," Nelson said of his manager.
"It was just about getting the right players in to follow the same path. He has got a group of players now that would do anything for him, anything he says. And if you have that as a manager, the things you want to do will come good as everyone is fighting and understands what you want."
