Arsenal star Reiss Nelson provided his second scintillating cameo off the bench of the season to guide the Gunners to a memorable Premier League victory against Bournemouth. For the first time in over a decade, Arsenal came from two goals down to win a league game with the decisive goal coming from Nelson in the seventh minute of added time.
A superb appearance off the bench earlier on in the season against Nottingham Forest, where Nelson grabbed two goals and one assist, looked set to kickstart his senior career at the club. However, he was unable to capitalise on Europa League opportunities and a hamstring injury picked up just before the season was set to resume after the World Cup derailed any momentum.
The 2022/23 season was always going to be a decisive one for Nelson with his contract set to expire in the summer. When asked by football.london back in December if he wanted to remain at his boyhood club, the 23-year-old said: "Of course.
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"I’ve been here since I was eight and Arsenal is all I know. I’m only a couple of minutes from the stadium, all my family is there. So of course I’d love to stay."
Following his Bournemouth heroics, Arsenal are in talks with Reiss Nelson over a contract extension, football.london understands. Another goal and assist over the weekend will certainly help his case in negotiations over a new deal and it should also be mentioned that allowing him to depart and replacing him by making a transfer move in his position may not be the answer.
Nelson is now on three goals and two assists for the season which, as pointed out on Reddit by an Arsenal fan, is more than Tottenham's Richarlison, Manchester United's Antony and Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk combined despite having played 32 games fewer.
All three were signed recently by Arsenal's big six rivals for a total of £208million with Spurs forking out £60m for Richarlison, United paying £86m for Antony and Chelsea signing Mudryk for £62m right under the noses of Arsenal who had made the 22-year-old their priority January target.
Regardless of what happens in the title race, Arsenal are expected to head into the market for another attacker but Edu's decision could have been made much easier and cheaper. By handing Nelson a new deal, the Gunners could avoid any possible mistakes their rivals have made in recent transfer windows.
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