Interview

Nelson - The player who has really helped me

Reiss Nelson has already been tested this season.

The 19-year-old started our Premier League opener at Newcastle before lining up for the following match against Burnley, in two physical encounters.

 

It's been a steep learning curve for Nelson, who was replaced at half-time during our win over the Clarets, but one which his team-mates are helping him through.

 

"It's a great feeling to have a lot of big characters in the team who are willing to help the younger players come through and help them do well," our winger told Arsenal Player. "You see the likes of Laca, Auba and Granit who are all big players in the team.

 

"David Luiz is a new addition and he's always talking to me, always talking about the mental side of football. You can have a bad pass or a bad shot, but you need to do this to take the risk. You need to shoot to score the goal. If it goes wide, you just need to keep going and keep your head up. I think that helps you a lot.

"To be starting in the Premier League is a big achievement because I didn't think I would start the first two games of the season," Nelson added. "I think that's a very big statement from the manager as well, to play me in the first two games with the likes of Pepe and Mkhitaryan, world-class players, on the bench.

 

"I thought the manager would have eased me into it, but I did well against Real Madrid and in a couple of other pre-season games, so when the chance came, I took it well. Newcastle was a very tough game because they're a very physical side and I think I did well, but I didn't create as much as I wanted to.

 

"Against Burnley I struggled because they are very physical, and I think I got caught on the ball a couple of times too. That's the thing with football: you have some good games, you have some bad games but the main thing is that you go back, you recap and next week you're ready to fight again. That's the main thing."

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