Reiss Nelson (Loan: Fulham)

The Players
663

I think the bottom line is this: do you think Pepe is a sunk cost stone-cold bust or not?

If he is, then one could argue that Nelson should get minutes over Pepe and Laca (in the “out-wide” use only one proper striker arrangement). To me, Martinelli deserves a run until he hits a prolonged cold patch.

While I am desperately concerned about Pepe, maybe this last game spurs him on - there were some positive moments and part of his “hold onto the ball for way too long” is really the lack of any ideas moving forward for our team… we spray it around the back until we hit it wide, at which point, we are pinched and do not have nearly enough dynamism for the requisite combo play there to break things open.

FWIW Pepe and AMN combined nicely on several occasions to do exactly that. We need more of that until our center midfield becomes more functional… also, with Guen out, we have literally NOBODY who can duck his shoulder and break a line in the middle… zero, zip, nada.

664

I still rate and have faith in this guy. Just got to be patient and have faith in him.

All he needs is some more confidence and presence about him. He was killing it in the Bundesliga.

Didn’t even have that bad a game from what i saw and heard, but morons on twitter after him because of an awful FK. come on lads.

665

Was he though?

5 Likes
666

No he wasn’t, when on a hot run of scoring for about 6 weeks but he wouldn’t say he was killing it in general. If the hot run of scoring just never ends then you’re killing it though as you’re Aubameyang in that case.

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667

Brains. Just needs that last bit and he can be a big big player.

But already expressing himself more than before.

Patience needed.

Also defensively was great. Helped AMN a lot, dropping back when needed if AMN went forward.

Just a smart player. Really like what I’m seeing from him, and I’m pulling for him.

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668

Indeed Nelson has recently hired a personal trainer to build his fitness and strength, addressing two key issues that coaches at Arsenal have raised.

From this:

English Sane incoming. :giroud2:

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669

I genuinely don’t get what people see in him. He’s never impressed me

5 Likes
670

All these youngsters from the academy are gash. None of them are good enough.

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671

He’s been straight booty.

Get him off for Pepe pronto who would actually benefit from how the team is playing today.

672

All that good early work being ruined by some bad actions and nervousness.

I have hope he will improve.

He was starting over Pepe because of defensive workdays I assume, but yeah I think we may need some Pepe soon.

673

:wastebasket::wastebasket::wastebasket::wastebasket:

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674

Poor mans Jermaine Pennant, people thought Iwobi was bad…

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675

Pepe would have either scored or assisted with the space we had 1st half. I’m certain

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676

He has played like doodoo today. Maybe he could benefit from a loan again but I think he’s probably not good enough to make it.

677

Was ok, can’t blame the lad much. He seemed finished not too long ago and suddenly he started playing. Obviously needs to grab the chance and run with it but it’s not the best period to do that in this team, in this climate.

678

Still got an assist :xhaka2:

Honestly, the way we write off our youngsters based on such a low sample size.

2 Likes
679

If we’re still talking about loans and this point in time it simply means one thing, he’s not good enough.

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680

I’m not sure talking about loaning a 20 year old out means he isn’t good enough lol.

I think he’s shit - but it’s totally normal to have a 20 year old on the books and to want to loan him out.

681

Personally 9 times out of 10 I reckon you can tell if a 20 year old has what it takes to make it at a top club, especially if they’ve been in the system for 3 or so years which in Nelson’s case he has.

I had hope for him when Arsenal toured Australia in 2017, but truth be told he’s no better now than he was then.

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682

He wasn’t much back in 2017 as well. Everyone was just giddy because we finally had a tricky dribbly winger amidst dire footballing circumstances.
Really don’t see what he does well apart from occasional dribble which eventually amounts to nothing.

I rather Saka, Martinelli & Pepe receive the game time.

If someone should have been used as LB, it should have been Nelson, not Saka.

1 Like