Arteta issues a heartbreaking claim regarding Reiss Nelson at Arsenal.

Arteta issues a heartbreaking claim regarding Reiss Nelson at Arsenal.

Reiss Nelson is very much an ignored man at Arsenal. And it’s obvious to see how when you consider the fact that the 21-year-old winger has only played 56 minutes of senior football since December.

Nelson hasn’t made a first-team debut for Arsenal since the FA Cup win over Newcastle United in January.

He was an unused sub during a few Premier League games in April but never made it off the bench.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had no room for him at all during Sunday’s win away to Newcastle United, despite the fact Nelson was photographed in training throughout the week.

Speaking after the game, Arteta explained that Nelson was doing everything in his ability to get more game time – including doing extra work at the training ground – and the Spaniard revealed that he feels sorry for the fact he is unable to squeeze him in.

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He told Football London: “I would like to give him more. He’s a boy who tries really hard, he trains every day. It’s very difficult at the moment with the players we have to be able to fit in. I feel sorry because he deserves more. He doesn’t play more and that’s my fault.”

It’s quite a pitiful confession from Arteta.

Nelson clearly has his heart fixed on getting some minutes between now and the end of the season and it is easy to feel quite concerned for him.

Arsenal’s season is now all about the Europa League and win, lose or draw on Thursday against Villarreal, their Premier League campaign is of little value at this point.

If they get thumped out of Thursday’s semi at the Emirates, Arteta might just use the last four domestic games to blood youngsters and reward others – like, say, Nelson.