Nelson keen to ink new contract with Arsenal
LONDON: Arsenal midfielder Reiss Nelson hopes to sign a new contract with the club in the coming weeks after making his full Premier League debut last weekend.
The 18-year-old, who featured in all of Arsenal’s Europa League group stage matches this season, started Sunday’s 3-2 league win over Southampton.
“It is a big achievement to sign for a big club like Arsenal so I’m just delighted with the contract and hopeful that I can sign it soon,” Nelson told British media.
“I did set one target - to make my first-team debut. I have done that, I have had 15 appearances.
“A Premier League start was on the cards but I think I need to score, that is the only one I haven’t achieved so fingers crossed I can get a cheeky goal before the end of the season.”
Nelson has benefited from Wenger’s decision to rest key players against Southampton, making seven changes from the side who beat CSKA Moscow 4-1 in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.
“He (Wenger) is one of the biggest (influences) for me,” Nelson added.
“He keeps pushing the youngsters - me, Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock - I think he has got a bight future planned for us.”
EVERTON BENEFITTING FROM DEFENCE: PHIL
LONDON: Everton captain Phil Jagielka believes improved performances from the defence can help give the Merseyside club’s attackers greater freedom to express themselves in front of goal.
Last weekend’s 0-0 draw with local rivals Liverpool marked a second clean sheet in four Premier League games and centreback Jagielka believes that sort of solidity is key to the creation of match-winning goals for the forwards. “Clean sheets are the foundation you build from,” Jagielka told Everton’s website www.evertonfc.com.
“You want to give your striker the chance to be the match winner. If we can keep it tight at the back, hopefully the forwards will get one or two chances in a game and take them, so the clean sheet is always important.
LOWTON: DYCHE KEY TO BURNLEY’S SUCCESS
LONDON: Hanging on to manager Sean Dyche has been key to Burnley’s success this season and the club are right to target a European spot, defender Matt Lowton has said. “I’m sure he had offers to go various places after the job that he’s done but he’s stuck here and nothing has changed,” Lowton said. “Europe is a very realistic target,” Lowton added.