MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 16:43:12| >> :60:811:811:

Reiss Nelson announces desire to extend Arsenal contract

Reiss Nelson announces desire to extend Arsenal contract
© Reuters
Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson announces his desire to sign a new contract at the Emirates, with his current deal due to expire at the end of the season.

Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson has announced his desire to sign a new contract with the Gunners in the wake of his stellar cameo against Nottingham Forest.

The 22-year-old missed the first few weeks of Arsenal's season after sustaining a serious thigh injury in the summer, with Bukayo Saka making himself untouchable in the right-wing position.

However, Saka was forced to leave the field in the first half against Nottingham Forest with a knock to the foot, and Nelson was subsequently handed his first Premier League minutes since August 2021.

The former England youth international took that opportunity with both hands, scoring twice and setting up Thomas Partey as Arsenal returned to the top of the table with a 5-0 victory.

Nelson had only ever scored one Premier League goal before Sunday's game, and he has now entered the final 12 months of his deal with his boyhood club.

Arsenal's Reiss Nelson celebrates with teammates after scoring against Nottingham Forest on October 30, 2022© Reuters

The attacker was briefly linked with a summer exit, but he has now affirmed that he never considered leaving the Emirates Stadium and is determined to earn a contract extension.

"I've never doubted myself at this football club. Arsenal is a team that I've been at since I was eight years old and I have a very, very strong bond and love for the club," Nelson told reporters after the win against Forest.

"Of course, there have been times where I've been a bit down when I haven't played or been on the bench, but my plan has never been for me to leave the club or say that I have no future here and I will do everything possible to get there.

"I only have some months left on my contract. Getting a new deal would be amazing and I would love to commit to the club. Any opportunity I get I'm going to try and take and just do my very best and just keep helping the team really.

"I'm 22 now, turning 23 soon, and it's just about getting the rhythm of playing much more games now and trying to progress into starting week-in, week-out and just to reach a new level. I feel like I'm at a level now where I'm still not at the rhythm that I would like to be and I just want to get to a rhythm where I'm playing regularly."

Nelson's only Premier League goal for Arsenal prior to this season had come in a 2-1 win over Liverpool in July 2020, and he now has six strikes and five assists from 52 matches in red and white.

Reiss Nelson in action for Arsenal in July 2022© Reuters

Nelson helped Feyenoord reach the final of the Europa Conference League during a productive loan spell last season, and Arteta has been left delighted with the attacker's 'evolution'.

"I think not only me but all his teammates, all the staff are so happy for him because he is a kid that is really changing, he's really evolving, he's really maturing," Arteta told a press conference.

"He's showing every day how much he wants it and today he had the opportunity, and he did extremely well because it helped us win the game. The way he talks, the way he reflects, the way he respects decisions, the way he is challenging everybody every single day.

"He is a joy of a kid. We all want him to be successful and do well. What he has done today for the team is something he really merits."

Saka's injury is not thought to be too serious, and there is even talk of the 21-year-old being available for the weekend's clash with Chelsea, but Nelson will expect to be handed a start for Thursday's Europa League tie with FC Zurich.

Arsenal are two points clear of PSV Eindhoven in Group A and will automatically qualify for the last-16 with victory over the Swiss champions at the Emirates.

ID:498411:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5061:

Click here for more stories about Reiss Nelson

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Facundo Torres in action for Orlando SC on October 2, 2022
Read Next:
Facundo Torres agent confirms Arsenal interest
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!