Arsenal performed a complete U-turn on youngster Reiss Nelson during last month’s transfer window, according to CBS.
The club initially told the England youth international that he wouldn’t be leaving the club, however, as the window transpired became more open to the idea of loaning out the winger.
Valencia, Villareal and Real Betis were all thought to be interested in the Hale End academy product, who ended up staying at the club after failing to secure a move away.
Should Arsenal have loaned out Reiss Nelson?
Yes
No
The move proves to be an incredibly boneheaded decision from the transfer committee at the Emirates Stadium. There’s no chance on earth the 21-year-old will play many games for the first-team with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Willian, Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all ahead of him in the pecking order.
A loan spell was desperately needed in order to allow the youngster to continue his progress, however, without much senior football to come in the next few months, it feels like Nelson has wasted a year of his development.
However, with the emergence of the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and re, there could be a case made for selling the £11.25m-rated ace. After gaining the label of ‘one of the best 15-year-olds’ from none other than Arsene Wenger, you would have thought he’d make a bigger impact than he has.
The fact of the matter is he’s been overtaken by those younger than him and any breakthrough into the Gunners first-team is highly unlikely at this point in his career. Failing to secure a move away from the club won’t necessarily harm the club, but, will harm Nelson, whose progress as a professional has stalled this season.
In other news, Arsenal contacted a European club over signing their left-back.
