#足球助力团 #
Long waited! Les Nelson's "FIFA" performance
When Les Nelson was immersed in the compliments of Arsenal fans, the moment gave him a special sense of super-realism. Starring in a five-goal win at Emirates Stadium is a scene that Nelson has only experienced in dreams and games.
"It's incredible!" Nelson said excitedly after the game, "It's kind of like I'm playing FIFA!" "From the performance against Nottingham Forest, Nelson has reached a new level.
While Nelson's leadership on the pitch has surprised most, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been waiting for this moment for a long time. When Mikel Arteta finished his playing career and began coaching, he first met the talented 16-year-old Nelson.
"He caught my attention instantly." Arteta said. In 2019, Mikel Arteta had just taken charge of Arsenal and had already placed Nelson in his starting eleven, even ahead of Nicolas Pepe, who had just been signed.
Mikel Arteta's emphasis on Nelson in the early days gave the young man a lot of confidence. Mikel Arteta has said the midfielder is of "extremely high quality". Even at a time when Nelson's development stalled, Mikel Arteta remained convinced that he could bring something to Arsenal.
During the summer window, rumours were rampant that Nelson would leave Arsenal permanently. An injury before the transfer deadline put an end to the heated discussions, but Mikel Arteta's message to him remained the same: if you are willing to stay at Arsenal for the challenge, then you will definitely get the chance.
Nevertheless, against Nottingham Forest, Arteta surprised Mikel Arteta to replace the injured Saka with Nelson. Because sitting on the bench are Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos and Nketia, whom the Arsenal boss signed in the summer.
Even Nelson himself was surprised. "When I went to warm up, I was like: 'I'm just going to warm up and I'll come back.' Nelson told Arsenal officials, "But, the coach said: 'Well, you may need to warm up a little longer. So I just kept going: warm up, come back, warm up again, like doing Yo-Yo training, and he said, 'Les, it's up to you.'" I was very surprised! But I know this will be my moment and I have to seize it. ”
Mikel Arteta noticed something from the player's preparation and attitude before believing that the big moment next would be for Nelson.
And that's exactly what happened. Nelson seized the opportunity in time to hand over two shots and one pass. After Saka retired from injury, the atmosphere at Emirates Stadium became visibly tense. But Nelson's performance broke that and opened the team's goal valve.
It's been a long time coming. Nelson was born in December 1999 – he will turn 23 during the World Cup. It must have been awkward for him to see younger generations constantly replacing him when Arsenal were trying to make breakthroughs. He is seven months older than Smith Rowe and almost two years older than Bukayo Saca. There was a time when Nelson was the best hope for the Hale End academy, but recently it seems to be in danger of being abandoned.
Five years ago, the 2017-18 season was considered his breakthrough season. Nelson, then a teenager, made his Europa League debut before coming off the bench in the league before earning his first league start. He won the Premier League Tier 2 title as a regular with the team and won the Player of the Season award.
But then his development did not go well. Nelson was then loaned to Germany and the Netherlands, where he showed his talent well but still did not secure a place at Arsenal. Injuries have also plagued him from time to time, and muscle injuries have kept him out of the playing for a long time, so it is especially important for him to have the opportunity to play in the spotlight.
After the final whistle, opposing coach Steve Cooper, who was Nelson's head coach at England Under-17s, gave a hug. 'Rice and I worked together at England and we've always had a good relationship!' Cooper said after the game, "He's been a fantastic player at Under-17 and it's great to see him highlight on the pitch, but I expected it not to happen in today's game. ”
Apart from Saka's injury, today was a good day for Arsenal. Although Jesus' goal drought lasted to six games, other players stepped up to help Arsenal regain the initiative on the pitch.
Mikel Arteta is particularly pleased with Nelson's achievements. "It's not just me, all the teammates and the staff are happy for him because this kid is really changing, improving, maturing." The Arsenal boss explained: "He shows a desire to play every day and today he got it and did a fantastic job because he helped the team win the game. ”
When asked how Nelson achieved this change, Arteta said: "He's very mature and very focused on the profession, the way he speaks, thinks, every decision he makes, and all the opponents he challenges. ”
"He's a happy kid and we all want him to be successful. Everything he did for the team was worth it. ”
The way Arteta talks about Nelson is reminiscent of him discussing another Academy player, Nketiah, who waited a long time to get a chance to play and finally managed to secure himself a long-term contract.
People have likened Nelson's situation to Nketiah, wondering if this would open a new chapter for the Gunners. Early in the season, Mikel Arteta said Nelson could win a new contract in north London "100 per cent".
But it is too early to tell. Nelson knows better than anyone that all he has to do now is to keep contributing to the team, starting with focusing on Thursday night's Europa League clash against Zurich.
Unlike before, he was able to go to the next race with more confidence. Since scoring his first goal, he has been full of confidence. He was able to find his own fun in the game.
For the first time in a long time, Les Nelson has played so easily in the Premier League.
It's like playing FIFA.