“I wouldn't be surprised” - Watts already tips Arsenal summer exit amid “glaring omission”

Journalist Charles Watts has claimed that Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson may leave in the summer – leaving the need for a new signing to play as backup to Bukayo Saka.

What’s the word?

In the January window, the Gunners looked desperate to add some depth to their attacking ranks and managed to do so with the signing of Leandro Trossard.

Next summer, however, Nelson will see his contract expire and so this could be why the club are in the market for a new player to play on the right flank should he leave.

Indeed, Trossard has come on for Gabriel Martinelli to play as a left-winger in his last two league games and stayed there in the FA Cup. But with Nelson injured, the club haven’t had an alternative for Saka.

While speaking about the situation on YouTube, Watts stated that he feels Nelson is unlikely to be handed a new deal and so the club will have to sign a new player next summer.

He said: “I think certainly bringing in cover for Bukayo Saka is absolutely essential in the summer.

“When you look at the squad, Trossard has come in and provided cover for Martinelli – he can play on the right as well but he’s more of a left-sided winger.

“So I think the one glaring omission in the squad when it comes to squad depth is backup for Bukayo Saka. You’ve got Reiss Nelson, but I wouldn’t be surprised Reiss moves on in the summer. He is out of contract, we don’t know if he’s going to get a new one.”

New man needed?

Earlier on in the season, Nelson came on for an injured Saka and managed to score two goals and provide an assist as Arsenal thumped Nottingham Forest 5-0.

However, the 23-year-old has been limited with a thigh issue since then, meaning he has played just twice in the Premier League up to this stage in the campaign.

Regardless of the injury, it’s safe to Nelson wouldn’t have played that much anyway as he is way behind Saka and Martinelli and even new signing Trossard in the pecking order.

With that in mind, it’s hard to see him breaking into the team and doing enough to earn himself a contract before the season comes to an end.

So, all in all, it does feel as though the club will be on the hunt for a new winger next summer just as they were this winter. Who that could be, however, remains to be seen.

Source

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