Reiss Nelson 'not close to signing new Arsenal contract'

Reiss Nelson is reportedly not currently close to signing a new contract with Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Despite being highly-regarded at the Emirates Stadium since his teenage years, Nelson has never transferred that potential into the senior ranks, largely owing to injuries.

That has been the story for much of 2022-23, the winger making just three starts and five substitute appearances for the Gunners in all competitions.

However, the 23-year-old has produced two game-changing contributions, first against Nottingham Forest earlier in the season and more recently at the weekend against Bournemouth in an epic conclusion which will live long in the memory.

Nelson had already provided the assist for Ben White's equaliser before he drilled a left-footed strike into the far corner from 17 yards in the seventh minute of added-on time to earn Arsenal a dramatic three points.

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That effort ensured that the North Londoners remained five points clear at the top of the Premier League standings, while Mikel Arteta took the chance to talk up the significance of the moment and Nelson's commitment after the match.

Nevertheless, with less than four months remaining on his contract, the future of the academy graduate is up in the air as both parties consider their options.

According to 90min, negotiations have not reached a point where it looks likely that Nelson will extend his stay at the club.

While the report suggests that talks will remain ongoing, there is unlikely to be a resolution in the short term, leaving Nelson to continue to prove his value.

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Although Nelson has three goals and three assists to his name this season, he only has a total of seven strikes and seven assists in 56 outings for Arsenal in his career.

Nelson's loan periods at Hoffenheim and Feyenoord also only generated mixed success, with 11 goals and eight assists coming in 61 appearances across the two spells.

The report adds that Nelson has a wide array of admirers with Brentford, Crystal Palace and West Ham United among the clubs interested in keeping him in the capital.

Meanwhile, Everton, Southampton and Burnley are also said to be monitoring the situation, as are numerous clubs on the continent.