Reiss Nelson

Reiss Luke Nelson (/ˈriːs/ REESS;[5] born 10 December 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for Premier League club Arsenal.

Reiss Nelson
Nelson with Arsenal in 2015
Personal information
Full name Reiss Luke Nelson[1]
Date of birth (1999-12-10) 10 December 1999[2]
Place of birth Elephant and Castle, England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[3]
Position(s) Winger[4]
Club information
Current team
 Arsenal
Number 24
Youth career
2007–2017 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017– Arsenal 22 (1)
2018–2019 → 1899 Hoffenheim (loan) 23 (7)
National team‡
2014–2015 England U16 3 (1)
2015–2016 England U17 11 (11)
2016–2017 England U18 3 (1)
2017–2018 England U19 9 (3)
2018– England U20 1 (0)
2018– England U21 12 (6)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:45, 29 November 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 00:05, 10 September 2020 (UTC)

Early and personal life

Nelson was born in Elephant and Castle, London[6] to a Zimbabwean father and English mother. He grew up in Aylesbury Estate in Walworth[7] and attended the London Nautical School.[7] He became friends with fellow aspiring footballer Jadon Sancho, who lived nearby, after they played together in youth tournaments.[8][9]

Club career

Arsenal

Nelson joined the Arsenal academy when he was nine years old and made a great impression on youth coaches, regularly being moved up to squads above his age group.[10] He played 35 games for the Arsenal youth teams, including nine games in the U-21 team, in the 2016–17 campaign.[11] Following several impressive performances in the youth teams, he signed his first professional contract with Arsenal on 10 December 2016, his 17th birthday. Arsène Wenger included Nelson in the squad for 2017–18 pre-season tour.[12]

2017–18: First-team debut

On 19 July 2017, Nelson made his first senior appearance against Bayern Munich in a 2017 International Champions Cup pre-season match.[13] He made his first competitive appearance for Arsenal's first team in the Community Shield, coming on as a substitute against Chelsea – Arsenal went on to win 4–1 on penalties.[14]

On 14 September 2017, Nelson made his European debut as he came on as a substitute for Theo Walcott at the 82nd-minute mark in the Europa League match against FC Köln.[15] He made his first start for the club against Doncaster Rovers in the League Cup on 20 September 2017.[16]

Reiss had an impressive season with the Arsenal U23 squad, scoring 9 goals, assisting 3 in 11 appearances as Arsenal won the 2017–18 PL2.

On 20 January 2018, Nelson made his Premier League debut in a 4–1 win against Crystal Palace, coming on as a substitute in the 72nd minute.[17] On 8 April 2018, he made his first Premier League start in a 3–2 win over Southampton, being substituted off in the 64th minute for Jack Wilshere.[18] On 17 May 2018, Nelson was awarded the PL2 Player of the Year.[19]

2018–19: Loan at 1899 Hoffenheim
Nelson playing for 1899 Hoffenheim in 2019

On 31 August 2018, Nelson signed a long-term contract with Arsenal, then went on season-long loan at German club 1899 Hoffenheim for a loan fee of €500,000.[20] On 15 September 2018, he made his debut as a 72nd-minute substitute away to Fortuna Düsseldorf, and within 14 minutes of entering the field of play, Nelson scored for Hoffenheim, scoring a consolation goal for the club in a 2–1 loss.[21] Reiss had an impressive season for Hoffenheim, scoring 7 goals in just 587 minutes of action at such a young age.[22]

Hoffenheim's coach Julian Nagelsmann orchestrated the move for Nelson, calling him "...an incredible player in one-on-one situations".[23] He also hailed Nelson's talent, claiming "he had the abilities to reach the levels of elite players in football such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo [and] Arjen Robben [if] he maintained his consistency and mentality".[23]

2019–20: FA Cup win

After a successful season on loan, Nelson returned to Arsenal ahead of the 2019–20 Premier League season. He was promoted to the first team by manager Unai Emery and given the number 24. Nelson was handed his first two starts of the season in Arsenal's opening games against Newcastle United and Burnley. On 24 September 2019, Nelson started and played the full 90-minute of Arsenal's 5–0 EFL Cup victory against Nottingham Forest. He scored his debut goal for the first team, adding a fourth for Arsenal in the 84th minute.[24] He was out with a knee injury during the months of October and November. He made his return on 9 December, coming off the bench for a short cameo in a 3–1 win over Southampton.[25]

Nelson scored his second goal of the season on 6 January, in Arsenal's 1–0 home win over Leeds United in the FA Cup.[26] Nelson suffered a hamstring strain in mid-January, making his return off the bench on 7 March, in a 1–0 win over West Ham United.

After the 3-month suspension of the Premier League due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nelson often was Mikel Arteta's favoured attacking substitute. On 15 July 2020, Nelson scored his first Premier League goal, starting in a 2–1 win against Liverpool.[27] Nelson was in the squad as Arsenal won their 14th FA Cup against Chelsea on 1 August 2020.[28] On 29 August 2020, Nelson came on as a substitute, taking and scoring the first penalty in a shootout win against Liverpool in the Community Shield after the game ended 1–1.[29]

International career

Nelson has played for England youth teams, at all levels from under-16 to under-21.

In May 2016, Nelson was part of the England national under-17 football team that reached the quarter-finals of the 2016 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, playing four games and scoring three goals.[30] His performances during the competition led to his inclusion in the team of the tournament.[31]

In March 2018, Nelson scored twice for England under-19 against Hungary in a qualifier for the 2018 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[32] He was one of a number of players withdrawn from selection for the tournament by their club.[33]

On 11 October 2018, Nelson made his U21 debut against Andorra, coming on as a second-half substitute; he scored the Young Lions' sixth goal with a backheel in stoppage time in a 7–0 victory that secured qualification for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[34]

On 27 May 2019, Nelson was included in England's 23-man squad for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship[35] and scored from the penalty spot in his only appearance; a 3–3 draw with Croatia at the San Marino Stadium on 24 June 2019.[36]

Career statistics
As of match played 9 January 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[lower-alpha 1] League Cup[lower-alpha 2] Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Arsenal 2017–18[37] Premier League 3010308[lower-alpha 3]01[lower-alpha 4]0160
2019–20[38] Premier League 17121112[lower-alpha 3]0—223
2020–21[39] Premier League 2010104[lower-alpha 3]11[lower-alpha 4]091
Total 221415114120474
1899 Hoffenheim (loan) 2018–19[40] Bundesliga 23710—5[lower-alpha 5]0—297
Career total 4585151201207611
  1. Includes DFB-Pokal, FA Cup
  2. Includes EFL Cup
  3. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. Appearance in FA Community Shield
  5. Appearances in UEFA Champions League

Honours

Arsenal

Individual

References
  1. "Reiss Nelson: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  2. "Reiss Nelson: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  3. "Reiss Nelson: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  4. "Reiss Nelson: Who is Hoffenheim's Arsenal-owned loan signing?". Bundesliga. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  5. Arsenal (24 October 2017), REISS NELSON: Exclusive in-depth interview, retrieved 18 November 2017
  6. Eccleshare, Charlie (17 October 2018). "Meet Arsenal's Reiss Nelson: Mentored by Hector Bellerin, scoring for England u-21s and thriving in Germany". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  7. "How London Nautical School is nurturing England's future footballers". The Football Association. 26 October 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  8. "Reiss Nelson and Jadon Sancho: England's 18-year-old best friends causing havoc in the Bundesliga". Bundesliga. 12 October 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  9. Aarons, Ed (12 October 2018). "Why future England squads will have heavy south London accent". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  10. "Who is Reiss Nelson? Rising Arsenal star profiled after fine pre-season". Sky Sports. 29 July 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  11. "Who is Reiss Nelson? Everything you need to know about Arsenal teenager ahead of Emirates Cup". Daily Mirror. 6 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  12. "Arsenal youngsters Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock react after being named in pre-season tour squad". Football.London. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  13. "Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal – Football Match Summary". ESPN. 19 July 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  14. "Arsenal 1–1 Chelsea (Arsenal win 4–1 on penalties)". BBC Sport. 6 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  15. "Arsenal 3–1 FC Cologne". BBC Sport. 14 September 2017. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  16. "Arsenal vs. Doncaster Rovers". Soccerway.
  17. Oscroft, Tim (20 January 2018). "Arsenal 4 Crystal Palace 1". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  18. "Arsenal 3–2 Southampton". BBC Sport. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  19. "Nelson crowned PL2 Player of the Season". Premier League. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  20. "Reiss signs new contract ahead of Hoffenheim loan". Arsenal F.C. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  21. "Reiss Nelson scores on Hoffenheim debut". Bundesliga. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  22. "Reiss Nelson: Through the eyes of a Hoffenheim fan". You Are My Arsenal. 15 April 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  23. Syiemlieh, Rachel (8 November 2018). "Hoffenheim boss believes Arsenal star can be as good as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo". Sportskeeda. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  24. "Arsenal 5–0 Nottingham Forest: Unai Emery praises Gabriel Martinelli after League Cup brace". BBC Sport. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  25. "Reiss Nelson Ruled Out Until November With Knee Injury After Pulling Out of England Duty". 90min.com. 8 October 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  26. "Arsenal 1–0 Leeds United: Reiss Nelson goal sends Gunners into fourth round". BBC Sport. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  27. "Liverpool aren't motivated by records, and another defeat, this time at Arsenal, proves it". ESPN. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  28. McNulty, Phil (1 August 2020). "Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  29. "ARSENAL BEAT LIVERPOOL 5–4 ON PENALTIES TO WIN THE FA COMMUNITY SHIELD". The Football Association. 29 August 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  30. "Under-17 – Reiss Nelson – UEFA". UEFA. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  31. "Technical Report – Team of the Tournament". UEFA. 20 May 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  32. "Goals from Mason Mount, Reiss Nelson (2) and Jadon Sancho seals Euro victory for U19s". The Football Association. 21 March 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  33. "European Championships: England begin defence of U19 title without star names". BBC Sport. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  34. "Dominic Calvert-Lewin leads way as England U21 qualify for Euro 2019". The Guardian. Press Association. 11 October 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  35. "ENGLAND U21S SQUAD NAMED BY AIDY BOOTHROYD FOR THIS SUMMER'S EURO FINALS IN ITALY". The Football Association. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  36. "England U21 3–3 Croatia U21". BBC Sport. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  37. "Games played by Reiss Nelson in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  38. "Games played by Reiss Nelson in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  39. "Games played by Reiss Nelson in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  40. "R. Nelson: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  41. McNulty, Phil (1 August 2020). "Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  42. Rostance, Tom (6 August 2017). "Arsenal 1–1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  43. Sanders, Emma (29 August 2020). "Arsenal 1–1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  44. "Hoffenheim: Reiss Nelson named Bundesliga's Rookie of the Month". BBC Sport. 13 November 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  • Profile at the Arsenal F.C. website
  • Profile at the Football Association website
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