Reiss Nelson says Unai Emery’s “fiery side” is boosting Arsenal development

Reiss Nelson believes Unai Emery’s “fiery side” is helping Arsenal players to develop in the right way this season.

The Gunners have won two of their opening three Premier League games going into Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates.

Will Nelson be an Arsenal regular this season? Five key things to know…

• Nelson impressed in Germany during a loan spell at Hoffenheim last season.
• The 19-year-old has returned to Arsenal as part of Emery’s first-team plans this term.
• He started in the first two matches of the campaign against Newcastle United and Burnley.
• But Nelson was replaced by Nicolas Pepe for the defeat at Liverpool.
• Regardless, he believes this season “could be [his] time”.

Nelson started in the victories against Newcastle United and Burnley but was left out of the starting line-up that went on to lose to Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

But the teenager believes he and his teammates can continue to improve under Emery because of the Spaniard’s varied approach to coaching the team.

“Unai’s very positive and always telling you to express yourself, but also he’s got that thing where he’ll tell you if you do something wrong,” Nelson told Arsenal’s official website.

“I think that’s good for a coach to have two sides: the jokey side and the fiery side.

“For me, especially, it helps me a lot to continue to improve and keep going. He helps a lot of the young players because there were a lot of them who came on the pre-season tour. He told them to be themselves, if they made a mistake just carry on. He helps them grow and gives them a great chance.”

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Competition for places a good thing – Nelson

Arsenal broke their transfer record in the summer to bring in Nicolas Pepe from Lille for £72m, and the Ivorian forward replaced Nelson in the line-up against Liverpool.

But Nelson believes the new competition could end up helping him earn a regular spot under Emery this season.

He added: “All the competition that’s here, all the new wingers Arsenal have signed… I think this could be my time. I need to just keep training hard and getting all the information from the coaches and the players. If I do that, I’m going to have a big, big shout this season.

“It’s about taking those steps, doing the easy thing and getting the basics right first. Once I do that, I think I will get chances. Then it’s up to me to perform and do well for the team.”