Reiss Nelson has joined Dutch Eredivisie team Feynoord on loan for the remainder of the season. Before leaving, Nelson extended his stay with the club further, until 2023.
It has seemed likely that Nelson would leave all summer, given his issues at the club in recent months.
After first breaking into the team during the club’s pre-season tour of Australia in 2017, by manager Arsène Wenger. Nelson continued to appear, though sporadically, for the club in the Europa League and in the Premier League.
Following Wenger’s departure from the club, Nelson was loaned to 1899 Hoffenheim in Germany, scoring 7 goals for the club. Though he was not ever-present under Julian Nagelsmann, with rumours of poor attitude leaking to the press.
Following his loan deal, Nelson was used more often by new head-coach Unai Emery, however, he was unable to nail down a starting spot in the first-team and as the club’s form took a nosedive, so too did Nelson’s confidence.
When Mikel Arteta took over, Nelson was an instrumental part of the team that reached the FA Cup final, scoring against Leeds United in the process.
However, following the signing of Willian from Chelsea, Nelson saw his game time drastically reduced and was never able to appear for the club on a regular basis.
One thing that did catch Arsenal fan’s eyes however, was the repeated omissions from the senior squad and his regular outings for the U23s, something that was, strangely for Arsenal, kept under wraps.
Nelson seems unlikely to break into the first-team this season with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Emile Smith Rowe, Martin Ødegaard, Nicolas Pépé and Bukayo Saka all occupying the roles that he would normally play in.
Feynoord, for their part, had intended to take Manchester United youngster Amad Diallo on loan instead, however, the Ivorian’s injury in training has scuppered any chance of a deal being struck.
Arsenal will now turn their attentions to signing players ahead of tonight’s 23:00pm deadline.