Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson has announced his desire to sign a new contract with the Gunners in the wake of his stellar cameo against Nottingham Forest.
The 22-year-old missed the first few weeks of Arsenal's season after sustaining a serious thigh injury in the summer, with Bukayo Saka making himself untouchable in the right-wing position.
However, Saka was forced to leave the field in the first half against Nottingham Forest with a knock to the foot, and Nelson was subsequently handed his first Premier League minutes since August 2021.
The former England youth international took that opportunity with both hands, scoring twice and setting up Thomas Partey as Arsenal returned to the top of the table with a 5-0 victory.
Nelson had only ever scored one Premier League goal before Sunday's game, and he has now entered the final 12 months of his deal with his boyhood club.
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The attacker was briefly linked with a summer exit, but he has now affirmed that he never considered leaving the Emirates Stadium and is determined to earn a contract extension.
"I've never doubted myself at this football club. Arsenal is a team that I've been at since I was eight years old and I have a very, very strong bond and love for the club," Nelson told reporters after the win against Forest.
"Of course, there have been times where I've been a bit down when I haven't played or been on the bench, but my plan has never been for me to leave the club or say that I have no future here and I will do everything possible to get there.
"I only have some months left on my contract. Getting a new deal would be amazing and I would love to commit to the club. Any opportunity I get I'm going to try and take and just do my very best and just keep helping the team really.
"I'm 22 now, turning 23 soon, and it's just about getting the rhythm of playing much more games now and trying to progress into starting week-in, week-out and just to reach a new level. I feel like I'm at a level now where I'm still not at the rhythm that I would like to be and I just want to get to a rhythm where I'm playing regularly."
Nelson's only Premier League goal for Arsenal prior to this season had come in a 2-1 win over Liverpool in July 2020, and he now has six strikes and five assists from 52 matches in red and white.
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Nelson helped Feyenoord reach the final of the Europa Conference League during a productive loan spell last season, and Arteta has been left delighted with the attacker's 'evolution'.
"I think not only me but all his teammates, all the staff are so happy for him because he is a kid that is really changing, he's really evolving, he's really maturing," Arteta told a press conference.
"He's showing every day how much he wants it and today he had the opportunity, and he did extremely well because it helped us win the game. The way he talks, the way he reflects, the way he respects decisions, the way he is challenging everybody every single day.
"He is a joy of a kid. We all want him to be successful and do well. What he has done today for the team is something he really merits."
Saka's injury is not thought to be too serious, and there is even talk of the 21-year-old being available for the weekend's clash with Chelsea, but Nelson will expect to be handed a start for Thursday's Europa League tie with FC Zurich.
Arsenal are two points clear of PSV Eindhoven in Group A and will automatically qualify for the last-16 with victory over the Swiss champions at the Emirates.
Ben Knapton
