“Ian Wright Urges Arsenal Star to Step Up: Issues ‘Massive’ Challenge”
“Ian Wright Urges Arsenal Star to Step Up: Issues ‘Massive’ Challenge”
If Arsenal are to win the Premier League title this season, Mikel Arteta will need to make use of the strength in depth in his squad.
Over the course of what will be a gruelling campaign, Mikel Arteta will need to show faith in his squad in order for Arsenal to navigate their way through a congested fixture schedule successfully.
Last season, Bukayo Saka suffered with fatigue, Ben White had to play through injury, and William Saliba played every single minute in the Premier League. None of these things can be allowed to happen again if the Gunners are to overtake Manchester City.
The likes of Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber, who weren’t available to Arteta last season, will now provide rotation options in the back line. However, Arsenal are yet to bring in any attacking reinforcements this summer, meaning that there is no new cover for Saka.
As things stand, Reiss Nelson’s role in the squad is to offer back up for the England star. However, it would seem that Arteta lacks faith in the 24-year-old, as he only afforded him one Premier League start last season.
Nelson could leave Arsenal this summer, and in truth he would probably be best served by a switch to a club where he can get regular game time. However, if he remains in North London, he will need to show that he can be trusted to step up.
Arsenal icon Ian Wright sets challenge for Reiss Nelson
Legendary former Arsenal striker Ian Wright is keen to see Nelson ease the burden on Saka.
Speaking on his Wrighty’s House podcast, he said: “Reiss Nelson has got a massive season coming up. I think that, like we saw Bukayo getting taken off the other day, Reiss Nelson has got to step into that and deliver now.
“It’s long enough now, I think that he’s been around the squad, around the manager and what the manager wants, it’s just up to him to perform. We need the Bournemouth performance on a regular basis – I’m not saying the winning goals, just that kind of impact.
“Our bench is going to be very important. If Reiss goes another season where he’s just in the wings, I can’t understand what that’s going to do for him, his career, or for Arsenal. This is a massive season for him and I really pray that he can kick on and do something.”
Nelson’s magic moment for Arsenal
In March 2023, with the Gunners in the grip of a title race, Arsenal welcomed Bournemouth to the Emirates Stadium.
Nelson entered the fray against the Cherries in the second half, with the hosts losing 2-1. The winger inspired a comeback, first by providing the assist for White’s equaliser. Then, with the final kick of the match, he lashed the ball into the back of the net to send the Emirates Stadium into raptures and keep Arsenal’s title dream alive.
That is the kind of impact Wright is asking for, and Nelson is certainly capable.
