Arsenal are in talks with Reiss Nelson over a contract extension, football.london understands.
The 23-year-old hit the headlines over the weekend with a dramatic 97th minute winner in the Gunners' Premier League clash with Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium. That was only Nelson's third appearance in the league so far this season where he boasts an impressive record of three goals and two assists in just 85 minutes.
Despite the lack of game time though, Nelson has shown a desire to stay with the club. His current deal is due to expire in the summer, but the Hale Ender's close relationship with Mikel Arteta is thought to be driving him to push for a stay at his boyhood club.
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"I’ve said a few times, I’ve been here since I was eight and I’m 23 now so I’ve been here a long time and I’m Arsenal through and through," Nelson told football.london when asked about his future in December.
"So to be playing, even in games just like this I’m delighted. Of course injuries are just a minor set back, but of course I just look towards the future and hopefully I can play many more years at the club."
"I feel like I’m [in] contention," he went on to add when asked about his role in the squad. "I’m getting minutes here and there which can only build my confidence and I feel like that’s something that I need to excel in the team because we’ve got a great team.
"If the boss wants me to play five minutes, 10 minutes or 90 minutes I’ll play with the same energy and same hunger throughout. I’ll just be there to help the team."
Arteta, meanwhile, has always had a soft spot for Nelson, having first come across the winger at the age of 14 when he was doing his coaching badges. The Spaniard has previously left the door open for Nelson to earn himself a new deal before the end of the season and expressed his delight at the 23-year-old's special moment against Bournemouth on Saturday.
"I always saw the potential, the talent and the desire for him to do it, but he’s at a different level right now," he said in his post-match press conference.
"I think emotionally, the experiences that he had helped him. Football-wise, it was my decision in the last two games not to play him because we had other options. But he was knocking on the door, he’s been training really good and it’s a good lesson for me and for the coaches that we need him and that he can be really important for the team."
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