One Arsenal star has now lifted the lid on the connection he shares with Ethan Nwaneri and other young prospects at the club. 

Reiss Nelson has now been at Arsenal for a long time. 

The winger first joined the North London club’s Hale End academy system as an eight-year-old in 2008.

He has since worked his way through the age groups and is now an established member of Mikel Arteta’s first team squad at the Emirates Stadium.

The 24-year-old first made his senior debut for the Gunners in the 2017 Community Shield triumph over Chelsea, making his bow for the club whilst Arsene Wenger was still at the helm.

Across all competitions, he has now amassed 89 appearances for his boyhood club, and has chipped in with eight goals. His most memorable strike came last season, as his last-gasp winner against Bournemouth kept the Gunners’ Premier League title dream alive and sent the Emirates Stadium into raptures. 

Where Reiss Nelson now stands at Arsenal

Nelson has been on the fringes of things for Arsenal this season. He has only been handed one Premier League start, and has racked up just 23 appearances across all competitions. 

In truth, he may be coming towards the end of his time at the club. Arsenal will be open to offers for Nelson this summer, and at this stage in his career he needs to be playing regular football. He is unlikely to ever become a regular starter for the Gunners. 

However, just because his game time has been limited, that doesn’t mean that Nelson is without an important role. Having been at the club for so long, he is a senior figure in the squad despite his relative youth. He now does what he can to help the next generation of young players coming through the ranks.

Reiss Nelson on his connection with Ethan Nwaneri and role with Hale End starlets

As quoted by the club’s official website, Nelson has opened up about the role he takes on with supporting the club’s talented youth prospects such as Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Amario Cozier-Duberry. 

He said, “I’ve been here so long now that I feel like part of my job is looking out for the younger players. Although I’ve been here a long time, I’m still one of the youngest in the team, but definitely when players come up from the academy I always try to help them.”

“Players like Ethan, Myles, Amario – I was in their position so I try to give them as much information as I can. I try to praise them, give them courage to do their thing when they train with us, because I know what it’s like to be on that end of it.”

“In Dubai during our winter break I got to spend some time with them and they are cool kids, so I’m happy they are doing well. I just reminded them they can speak to the senior players whenever they need to.”

There are plenty of exciting prospects emerging from the Hale End academy at this time. Nwaneri has drawn comparisons with Jack Wilshere, and big things are expected from the teenager who has already made two Premier League appearances for the club.