With the sheer number of talents that are coming through Arsenal’s academy at the moment, it’s fair to say the Gunners are enjoying somewhat of a ‘golden generation’. The likes of Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka, amongst others, have made the step-up to the first-team in recent months and years, and could well go on to form the heartbeat of the north London side for the foreseeable future.
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But according to a report from The Athletic, that may not have been the case. Nelson was set for the exit door in the summer before Unai Emery personally intervened in to stop him leaving the club. Instead, the Gunners chose to cash in on fellow academy graduate Alex Iwobi, despite the Nigeria international being ahead of the young winger in the pecking order at the time.
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And that decision from the Gunners boss has appeared to be the right one, with recently-appointed head coach Mikel Arteta playing Nelson in each of the games that he has been on the touch-line for.
After hearing about the report, Arsenal fans flooded to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the situation, with a couple hailing the potential that he has.
A few fans however were a bit more hesitant over the news, suggesting that they are not entirely convinced by Nelson just yet, and that Iwobi may even be the better player.
Some fans of the north London side hailed Emery for his intervention, with several insisting that it was the best decision he made whilst he was in charge of the club.
At just 20-years-old, the starlet still has the world at his feet, and under the guidance of Arteta, could enjoy a hugely successful career at the Emirates. The Gunners head coach has been widely credited with helping Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane whilst he was at Manchester City, and Nelson could benefit first-hand from the Spaniard now taking the reins in north London.
Meanwhile, Arsenal may regret potential decision to send starlet on loan for the rest of the season.
