Mikel Arteta says player who hasn’t started a PL game for Arsenal this season has made a ‘huge impact’

Mikel Arteta has claimed that one squad player has made a ‘huge impact’ at Arsenal.

With such a talented squad at his disposal, there are bound to be players who barely feature under Mikel Arteta. 

Arsenal are right in the mix for the Premier League title with nine games left to play and the Spaniard is unlikely to experiment with his side from here on out.

That will lead to the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson continuing to play a bit part role until the end of the campaign.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean that neither play will have a role to play in this year’s title race.

Just last season, we saw Nelson come off the bench to provide arguably the most memorable moment of the campaign against Bournemouth.

While the 24-year-old is yet to contribute with a goal contribution in the league this term, Arteta feels Nelson has made a huge impact at the club.

Arsenal FC v Brentford FC - Premier League

MORE ARSENAL STORIES

Arteta on Nelson’s lack of minutes this season

Speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow’s clash at Luton, Arteta was asked about striking the right balance to hand players minutes. 

“It’s always that balance and when you play and haven’t played, it’s our obligation and duty to be prepared to play any minute, in any moment,” the Gunners boss said.

“You see a lot of moments; with the example of Reiss [Nelson], when you look at Reiss’ moments for Arsenal, there are moments when he’s played a few minutes and made a huge impact, and it’s one of the best days of his life as an Arsenal player.

“Nobody remembers if he started or came off the bench, and a lot of examples are like this in both football and the history of the sport when a lot of players make their impact. Sometimes you just need a second to change the history of a football club. You just need 100 minutes to play a football match.”

Manchester City v Arsenal FC - Premier League

Nelson’s stats for Arsenal this season

While Nelson is yet to contribute in the final third in the league this term, he’s proven to be a useful option in Europe and cup games. 

The winger has provided two assists in five appearances in the Champions League. He also netted once in two games in the League Cup before Arsenal exited the competition to West Ham. 

There have been suggestions that Nelson could head out the door this summer as Arteta looks to bolster his frontline.

But for the time being, he remains an important part of the squad and has proven he can make an impact off the bench.