Arsenal hero Reiss Nelson in new contract talks as key opportunity looms

Simon Collings
·2-min read
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Arsenal are in talks with Saturday’s match-winner Reiss Nelson over a new contract.

Nelson’s current deal is due to expire in the summer but he wants to stay at his boyhood club and there is optimism on both sides that an agreement will be reached.

The 23-year-old was the hero against Bournemouth at the weekend, when he came off the bench to score a 97th-minute winner and secure a 3-2 victory that keeps Arsenal five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

Talks with Nelson over a new contract were underway before his dramatic impact on Saturday and it is understood negotiations are at an early stage.

Nelson has been at Arsenal since the age of eight and told Standard Sport in November that he wanted to stay. The winger has struggled with injuries and found opportunities limited this season, and Saturday was his first appearance since the World Cup.

Last-gasp hero: Reiss Nelson netted a crucial late winner for Arsenal against Bournemouth (Getty Images)
Last-gasp hero: Reiss Nelson netted a crucial late winner for Arsenal against Bournemouth (Getty Images)

But he has three goals and two assists in just three League outings this season. Nelson is unlikely to be short of offers if he does leave Arsenal at the end of the season. Crystal Palace have previously scouted him and could reignite their interest if, as expected, Wilfried Zaha departs Selhurst Park in the summer.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is an admirer of Nelson after first working with him as a teenager when he was doing his coaching badges in the Arsenal academy.

Speaking to Standard Sport in November, Nelson said: “I have been here for so long and I’m very comfortable here. I am an Arsenal fan and, of course, I want to sign a new contract at the club. I am just going to be ready for anything I get now and give my all for the team.”

Arsenal score late winners

Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. (PA)
Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. (PA)
Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal scores the team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 22, 2023 (Getty Images)
Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal scores the team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on January 22, 2023 (Getty Images)
Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah (second right) celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium (PA)
Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah (second right) celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium (PA)
Arsenal's English striker Eddie Nketiah (2L) shoots past Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea from close range to score their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United (AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's English striker Eddie Nketiah (2L) shoots past Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea from close range to score their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester United (AFP via Getty Images)
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez lies dejected during the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. (PA)
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez lies dejected during the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. (PA)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (right) celebrates his sides third goal scored by Jorginho during the Premier League match at Villa Park (PA)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (right) celebrates his sides third goal scored by Jorginho during the Premier League match at Villa Park (PA)
Arsenal's Jorginho (hidden) and team mates celebrate their sides third goal, an own goal by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez during the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. (PA)
Arsenal's Jorginho (hidden) and team mates celebrate their sides third goal, an own goal by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez during the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. (PA)
Jorginho and Takehiro Tomiyasu celebrate the third Arsenal goal, an own goal scored by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez during the Premier League match (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Jorginho and Takehiro Tomiyasu celebrate the third Arsenal goal, an own goal scored by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez during the Premier League match (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal's William Saliba, left, Arsenal's Jorginho, centre, Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli celebrate after scoring during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park (AP)
Arsenal's William Saliba, left, Arsenal's Jorginho, centre, Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli celebrate after scoring during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park (AP)
Reiss Nelson of Arsenal celebrates victory following the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on March 04, 2023 (Getty Images)
Reiss Nelson of Arsenal celebrates victory following the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on March 04, 2023 (Getty Images)
Arsenal players celebrate their sides third goal scored by Reiss Nelson during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. (PA)
Arsenal players celebrate their sides third goal scored by Reiss Nelson during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. (PA)

With Arsenal short of options in attack, Nelson could see more game-time in the coming week. Gabriel Jesus is still working his way to full fitness after knee surgery in December, Eddie Nketiah is out with an ankle injury and now Leandro Trossard is on the sidelines. Trossard suffered a groin injury against Bournemouth, but Arsenal hope he will return before the international break.

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