Arsene Wenger made his return to the Emirates Stadium on Boxing Day of last year to see his former club beat West Ham United. The Frenchman continues to have an impact at Arsenal despite not having been there since he left in 2018.
Arsenal find themselves in a midst of a title race this season, but Mikel Arteta came under fire this weekend after experiencing a rare stumbling block. Sean Dyche masterminded the perfect 1-0 win over the Gunners with Everton scoring from a corner and stubbornly defending their lead with the Spaniard unable to swing the game back in his side’s favour.
He made four substitutions with the last roll of the dice, despite having one more change available to him, Ben White coming off for Takehiro Tomiyasu. This didn’t allow the Gunners any more attacking threat with it effectively being a like-for-like swap.
READ MORE: Arsenal vs Everton fixture change hands Mikel Arteta triple title incentive to hurt Man City
With the transfer window now closed, Arteta will need to rely on his current squad to provide the answers for him when he faces a similar challenge in the future. Wenger may have provided a potential answer in this specific scenario combined with the return from injury of Reiss Nelson.
Arteta has consistently backed the winger to succeed although there remains little talk of a contract extension with his deal up in the summer. His latest injury ended a good run of appearances for the 23-year-old which began with two goals against Nottingham Forest in a 5-0 home win.
Nelson first made his debut for Arsenal under Wenger in August 2017 before making his first Premier League appearance the following January. Wenger would leave that very season, but he had given yet another chance to a budding young star.
What will interest Arteta however is the position Nelson would be used in by Wenger. Lacking options, Wenger was deploying a back three with Nelson playing in the right wing-back role.
He also played a role in two League Cup matches against Doncaster and Norwich in 2017. Nelson has developed more so into a natural winger who can operate on either flank in the several years since.
However, there is an opportunity perhaps for Arteta to consider returning to Nelson’s senior roots and in situations whereby the side need to find an equaliser, bringing on the Hale End graduate for either White or Tomiyasu, depending on who’s starting, could bring the Gunners an added threat. Furthering the offensive ability of the right flank with Bukayo Saka and Nelson overlapping one another and creating overloads in the wide area.
Of course, this should only be tried in desperate situations with the right-sided centre-back significantly more exposed. But, it is an option that could be thought of on these rare occasions.
READ NEXT:
Arsenal signing in line to replace Gabriel Martinelli as injured star could return vs Brentford
Premier League make major decision ahead of Arsenal vs Man City with referee announcement
Mikel Arteta told to make Ben White decision as Arsenal dilemma looms ahead of Brentford
Gabriel Jesus, Emile Smith Rowe: Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Brentford clash
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
