With 10 wins from 12 in the Premier League, Granit Xhaka’s renaissance underway in midfield and the club starting to reap the benefits of the smart recruitment that has taken place over several transfer windows, it's a good time to be an Arsenal fan.
Mikel Arteta's current group of players all seem to be on the same page and have earned the trust to deliver results when called upon.
The Gunners have been firing on all cylinders this season and have been just as strong in defence as they have been in attack. And while people have questioned whether Arsenal have the squad depth to even muster a title charge, Arteta demonstrated on Sunday that he has dependable deputies to turn to when adversity strikes.
As Arsenal dismantled Nottingham Forest 5-0 at the Emirates, they had to react to England international Bukayo Saka going off injured in the first half. At 1-0 up, you wondered just how much of an impact losing the winger would have on the rest of the match.
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On came Reiss Nelson, a player who has struggled to cement a first-team place in N7 since his breakthrough in 2017-18, and he did an exceptional job of filling in for his compatriot on the right flank. He helped maintain the energy and skill that Saka brought down the right and grabbed a quickfire brace in the space of three minutes to extend his side’s lead to 3-0 early in the second half.
Nelson turning in an inspired performance is further testament to the brilliant work Arteta is doing at Arsenal. His determination to stick with his philosophy is now paying dividends and it is clear that all the players in the squad, not just those starting, are fully committed to the cause and benefitting from his coaching
It is hard to comprehend that Nelson is only 22 years of age considering how long ago his debut for the Gunners feels. Having been tipped for big things so early on in his career, it is understandable that he has so far struggled to handle the weight of expectation. Nelson has had two loan spells away from Arsenal, firstly with Hoffenheim in 2018-19 and then at Feyenoord in 2021-22.
Arteta likes to test his young players, and in some cases that involves being sent out on loan. William Saliba had spent the last few years on loan at Marseille and has quickly become one of the Gunners’ star players in the heart of defence.
With the extraordinary form that both Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have been in on the wings this term, any player would find it difficult to take their places in the side. Granted his first opportunity in the top-flight for over a year, Nelson took it with both hands and we were able to see a glimpse at what he can offer Arsenal going forward.
Nelson looked assured of himself on Sunday and his goal contributions will only improve his confidence. The fact that Arteta can conjure up a performance like that from a player who was making his first league appearance of the season further highlights that he has all his players singing from the same hymn sheet. Each of them knows what is needed from them when they take to the pitch and there is now a perfect harmony in the dressing room that is reverberating around the club.
We have seen the influence Arteta has had on players such as Eddie Nketiah and now he is working that same magic on yet another Arsenal youngster in Nelson. You get the feeling he is just warming up.
