Another stunning Reiss Nelson performance

I've always loved watching the Arsenal youth teams, seeing the new talent that could play for the club in a couple of years. So when I saw that the U23 game vs Man City was being broadcast, I wasn't going to hesitate to watch it, especially as my two favourite youth players, Nelson and Nketiah, were playing. Here's my match report on a very eventful evening.

As the players walked past the ten lucky junior gunners waving their flags proudly above their heads, you could see their gleaming faces and hear the applause from the Arsenal fans out in their hundreds, hoping to see the next Arsenal legend.

And the match began at a high intensity with Arsenal getting a very presentable early opportunity as after a lovely one-two put Malen through on goal, he ended up chipping the ball wide after being caught in two minds as to either dink the keeper or round him. In the end, he didn't really do anything.

Then came a moment of magic on the ten minute mark from Arsenal's standout wonderkid Reiss Nelson who took the ball on the turn, dribbled past two and put DaSilva through on the left flank. However the comedy moment was after the ball had been released by Nelson, the two City players collided with each other, met by an uproar of the crowd. Nelson then continued his venture forward and received it back from DaSilva. He then took a touch, shot, and scored at the keeper's near post to put Arsenal infront and once more a sign of things to come from the talented 17 year old.

Moments later however, it was 2-0 as after a lovely jinking run from Ainsley Maitland Niles, he cut inside, played a worryingly simple pass to the clinical Nketiah, who smashed home, Arsenal U23's now lead by two goals to Man City's shock, who are normally much better than they were on Monday evening.

After a period of Arsenal dominance and a cheeky freekick from the right from Nelson trying to catch the City keeper off his line, City pulled back with probably their first serious attack of the game as a cross in from the left was powered home by the City midfielder Smith. An undeserved goal, but given the quality of the marking and goalkeeping in that situation, maybe it was a wake up call.

But of course Arsenal bounced back with some help from a certain Jack Wilshere who after Joe Willock had won the ball back, he threaded a perfect ball through towards Nketiah who calmy slotted past the City goalkeeper. Two shots, two goals for Eddie Nketiah who, like Nelson and Willock, have shown alot of promise in the Arsenal youth set up.

However, Arsenal can consider themselves lucky to not have gone into half time 3-2 up as right before the break, City had a freekick on the far right side of the penalty box. A clever set piece routine saw a big opportunity for Smith to have a free shot, only for him to scuff it towards goal and a little goalmouth scramble to follow with a the ball falling to Nmecha who poked wide, a glorious chance for City that on another day, would've ended up in the Arsenal net.

There came halftime with the scoreline at 3-1. A very enjoyable half for Arsenal fans and even neutrals so far due to the clinical finishing of Nketiah and the magic of Nelson for the Arsenal fans to rave about.

The second half was a little more even but Arsenal were still on top, although there were a couple of stoppages as centre back Krystian Bielik seemed to be suffering from a reoccurring shoulder problem, but he was just about able to carry on.

And through more Arsenal pressure a fourth goal was always inevitable, and when Wilshere played a nice pass to DaSilva he cut it back to Nelson who took one touch and fired it into the far corner with three players, and Nketiah, infront of him. 4-1 and the game looked safe for Arsenal.

Until...

Jack Wilshere picked up the ball in the middle of the park and after a rash challenge from the goalscorer Smith, he went onto push him to the floor. This however provoked his teammate Wilson to then come over and have a brawl with Wilshere leading to a general mess and both Wilshere and Wilson being sent off and Smith getting a yellow card. However just when you thought it was all over, Wilshere was signalling Wilson to come over to the tunnel with him where he proceeded to push him against the wall, the proceedings however were covered by Arsenal and City staff trying to break the pair up, with fellow players also rushing to help. Ugly scenes in an U23 game. Looking back on it, you can understand Wilshere's reaction, it was a clear attempt to injure him and after all he's been through, you couldn't expect anymore. However we all know you should never react like that and Wilshere will be relieved that Wenger took to his side of the story.

Both teams being down to ten however clearly affected Arsenal more than City as moments later, Smith put a ball through to the talented playmaker Brahim Diaz who calmy slotted past Matt Macey to score City's second.

However Arsenal were starting to panic as more good work from Diaz resulted in Krystian Bielik giving away a penalty. The city striker Nmecha stepped up and struck it past Macey with conviction into the right hand corner. With just over 15 minutes left, the comeback was well and truly on.

Arsenal managed to regain control however and after a tense finish, Arsenal ran out deserved winners on this occasion winning the game by four goals to three. The couple hundred people who payed the £3-4 to watch the game certainly got their money's worth.

MOTM: Reiss Nelson

While it being a really close call between him and Nketiah, Nelson for me was the outstanding performer on the night getting fans off their seats in awe of some of his skills and tricks. Getting the two goals topped of an excellent night for Reiss Nelson who made it an evening to forget for the poor City right back.