Reiss Nelson’s season has once again been interrupted by injury, but returning from a calf problem against Sunderland, he had the chance to win the game for Brentford in the dying minutes…
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 07: Reiss Nelson of Brentford is challenged by Enzo Le Fee of Sunderland during the Premier League match between Brentford and Sunderland at Gtech Community Stadium on January 07, 2026 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Reiss Nelson will face a decision over his future this summer after another season in which injuries and limited minutes have restricted his ability to show what he can do.
Now 26, the Hale End graduate made his Arsenal debut under Arsene Wenger in a 4-1 win over Crystal Palace in 2018 at the age of 18. Early promise raised expectations around the winger, but his career has not developed as many anticipated.
A loan spell with Fulham last season brought only 12 appearances and 572 minutes on the pitch. The current campaign is on course to deliver even fewer opportunities.
With less than a quarter of the season remaining he has played just 276 minutes. He has not started a single Premier League game all season and a calf injury ruled him out of the FA Cup tie against Southampton last weekend, a match he would have expected to start.
Unlike other problems he’s had, that injury was expected to be a short one and so it turned out to be. He returned to the Brentford bench on Monday night.
With 85 minutes on the clock and Brentford desperate for a winner after throwing away a two-goal lead, Keith Andrews sent on the Arsenal man.
Just five minutes later, with the clock ticking over into injury time, he missed a glorious chance to win the game and make himself a hero, when he missed a header in front of goal, the ball bouncing off his shoulder and going agonisingly wide. It was a chance he had to score.
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Reiss Nelson of Brentford has a headed shot during the Premier League match between Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Gtech Community Stadium on March 16, 2026 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Since leaving on loan, injuries have repeatedly disrupted Nelson’s playing time.
A hamstring problem last season accounted for 28 missed matches, with further time required afterwards to regain fitness.
This season, he has missed nine games through a knock, illness and the calf issue he returned from against the Black Cats.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Reiss Nelson of Fulham goes down with an injury during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Craven Cottage on December 05, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Nelson’s contract at Arsenal runs until the end of next season, yet it appears unlikely he will add to his tally of 90 appearances for the club.
Mikel Arteta selected him 65 times, but the winger struggled to secure a regular spot and Arteta seems to have run out of patience with him long ago.
A permanent move to Brentford this summer seems unlikely after his underwhelming loan spell. The current deal does not include an option to buy, and the Bees do not seem inclined to pursue a deal.
Valued at around €12m, Arsenal are expected sell him, if they can, as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of next season. Nelson’s reported wages of around £100,000 per week will not be wanted back on the books.
With a few months left of the season, both Nelson and Arsenal will be hoping he can get in the minutes to really showcase the talent we all know he has.
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