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Reiss Nelson
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Reiss Nelson
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Reiss Luke Nelson (born 10 December 1999) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for Premier League club Brentford, on loan from Arsenal.

Key Information

Born in London, Nelson joined Arsenal's academy when he was nine years old and gradually made his way to the first-team, regularly playing above his age group. He made his Arsenal debut in the 2017 FA Community Shield before leaving the club on loan in search of first-team football. After gaining experience at German side TSG Hoffenheim during the 2018–19 season, he returned to Arsenal where new manager Mikel Arteta used Nelson sparingly due to injury. He then moved to the Netherlands on loan at Feyenoord where he made a positive impact on their season and received more first-team action. Nelson joined Fulham on loan for the duration of the 2024–25 season.

Nelson has represented England with every youth international team since debuting for the under-16's in November 2014. He has played in several youth UEFA European Championships, and he was selected in the 2016 under-17 edition's Team of the Tournament for his performances in England's quarter-final finish.

Early and personal life

[edit]

Nelson was born in Elephant and Castle, London.[1] He is of Jamaican descent through his mother.[2] He grew up in the Aylesbury Estate in Walworth and attended the London Nautical School, which trains young men from Inner London, often with maritime and sporting backgrounds. Nelson played football at the school in conjunction with his training at Arsenal and still acts as a mentor there.[3] He became friends with fellow aspiring footballer Jadon Sancho, who lived nearby, after they played together in youth tournaments;[4] Nelson and Sancho were among many successful footballers from the Borough of Lambeth and South London at the time, including Tammy Abraham, Ademola Lookman and Tashan Oakley-Boothe.[5] Nelson has described his younger self as a "cheeky chappie" and someone who was "very loud", which he said often led him into trouble.[6] Nelson accredits his mother for his success at youth level, for ensuring he got to training on time and working two jobs to sustain Nelson, his brother and his sister in their youth; he came from a poor family and driving to and from training was often a "big sacrifice".[6]

Club career

[edit]

Arsenal

[edit]
Nelson playing for Arsenal in 2015.

2008–2018: Early career

[edit]

Nelson joined the Arsenal Academy in 2008, when he was eight years old.[6] Throughout his long youth career at Arsenal, he was regarded as one of the club's most promising young players; he often impressed the youth coaches at the club and regularly played above his age group.[7][8] Before making his senior debut in 2017, he was playing in the under-21 youth team, five years above his age group.[7] Nelson signed his first professional contract in December 2016, following his 17th birthday.[8]

Ahead of Arsenal's 2017–18 season, Nelson was named in Arsène Wenger's pre-season touring squad travelling to both Australia and China.[9] On 13 July 2017, he made his unofficial debut for Arsenal against Sydney FC in a friendly; during the game Nelson played on the right-wing, dribbling balls towards the byline and setting up teammates Joe Willock and Danny Welbeck regularly.[10] Whilst on tour, he also played against Western Sydney Wanderers at the Stadium Australia,[11] Bayern Munich at the Shanghai Stadium,[12] and Chelsea at Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing.[13] Nelson made his first competitive appearance against Chelsea in the 2017 FA Community Shield; he came on as a substitute for Welbeck as Arsenal won 4–1 on penalties after the match had ended in a draw.[14]

During the season, Nelson was limited to mostly cup and European appearances for the first-team, including five UEFA Europa League appearances, three EFL Cup matches and one FA Cup loss against Nottingham Forest.[15] He made his Premier League debut in a 4–1 win over Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on 20 January 2018; he came on as a substitute in the 72nd minute.[16] With fellow winger Alexis Sánchez having left Arsenal, it was speculated that Nelson could get an extended run in the first-team in his absence;[17] however, he only made two more Premier League appearances during the season.[15] Arsenal finished the league season in sixth and Wenger announced his departure from the club.[18]

Still playing youth football for the under-23 side, Nelson helped Arsenal win the Premier League 2, in the Professional Development League; he also helped his side reach the final of the Premier League International Cup.[19] Nelson scored 10 goals in all youth competitions and was awarded PL2 Player of the Season.[19]

2018–2020: Hoffenheim loan, Emery's tenure and Arteta's arrival

[edit]
Nelson with TSG Hoffenheim in 2019.

On 31 August 2018, Nelson signed a long-term contract with Arsenal, and new Arsenal coach Unai Emery then sent him on a season-long loan at German club TSG Hoffenheim.[20] During his Hoffenheim debut against Fortuna Düsseldorf on 18 September, he scored within 14 minutes of entering the match, although it was only a consolation in the 2–1 defeat.[21] Nelson scored six Bundesliga goals in his first seven appearances for Hoffenheim,[22] including a wide curling strike against Bayer Leverkusen in November.[23] Head coach Julian Nagelsmann dropped Nelson ahead of Hoffenheim's 2–1 win over 1. FC Nürnberg in what was described as an "educational measure" for being late to training.[22] Following an injury in January, Nelson struggled to make an impact in the latter stages of Hoffenheim's season;[22] he finished the season with seven goals in 29 appearances for the German side.[24]

Nelson returned to Arsenal following his loan in Germany. He was brought into the first team along with fellow academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe as Emery looked to focus on youth talent in his second season;[25] he was also given the number 24 shirt.[26] Nelson made successive starts in Arsenal's opening two Premier League games against Newcastle United and Burnley; against Burnley he looked to have scored a goal from a slick passing move and a confident finish, but it was ruled out for offside in the buildup.[27] Nelson scored his first senior Arsenal goal on 24 September 2019,[28] when Arsenal defeated Nottingham Forest 5–0 at the Emirates Stadium in the EFL Cup third round; it was the fourth goal of the match and it was scored after he received a drilled pass from Calum Chambers.[29] Nelson received a knee injury whilst on youth international duty in October,[30] and he did not return to the Arsenal first team until December.[28]

In November, Emery left Arsenal and was replaced by interim coach Freddie Ljungberg, the Swede was later replaced by former club captain Mikel Arteta.[31] Nelson scored against Leeds United in Arsenal's 1–0 win in the FA Cup third round in January 2020,[32] but was injured later in the month;[33] he returned from injury against Portsmouth in March.[28] Following a short suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[34] Arsenal resumed Premier League football in June; Nelson later scored his first Premier League goal against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in July.[35] He was an unused substitute when Arsenal won their 14th FA Cup against Chelsea on 1 August.[36]

2020–2022: Lack of minutes and loan to Feyenoord

[edit]

In Arsenal's 2020 FA Community Shield match against Liverpool, Nelson came on as a substitute, taking and scoring the first penalty in a shootout win after the game ended 1–1.[37] He scored his first goal in European competition on 26 November against Norwegian side Molde in the UEFA Europa League; all four of Nelson's goals for Arsenal at this point were scored in different competitions, those being the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and UEFA Europa League.[38] He only made nine appearances during Arsenal's 2020–21 campaign;[39] injuries hindered Nelson during the season, limiting him to just 69 minutes of Premier League football.[40]

Nelson joined Eredivisie side Feyenoord on loan in August 2021; his squad number was 14 during his stay in the Netherlands.[41] Feyenoord sporting director Frank Arnesen said that the club followed Nelson for several months; Arnesen also described him as "a rapid boy, good with his feet, who makes things very difficult for defenders in one-on-ones."[41] Nelson was injured in training not long after joining the club, delaying his debut; his first appearance for the club came against RKC Waalwijk in the Eredivisie, where he came on as a substitute for 30 minutes at the end of the 2–2 draw.[42] Nelson scored four goals for Feyenoord during his time at the club;[43] he also helped his side reach the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League final, which they lost 1–0 to José Mourinho's Roma in Tirana, Albania.[44]

2022–2024: Arsenal return

[edit]

Upon returning to Arsenal for the 2022–23 season, Nelson made his first appearance on 6 October 2022 against Bodø/Glimt in the UEFA Europa League;[45] his appearance in the reverse fixture in Norway a week later was his 50th for the Arsenal first team.[6] At the end of the month, he scored a brace (two goals) and assisted Thomas Partey's goal in their 5–0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest after coming on as a substitute for Bukayo Saka.[46]

In Arsenal's Premier League match against AFC Bournemouth on 4 March 2023 at the Emirates Stadium, Nelson came on as a substitute for Smith Rowe with Bournemouth leading Arsenal 2–1. He then set up Ben White from the left wing to level the match at 2–2, almost immediately after entering the game.[47] In search of a match winner, Nelson scored a 25-yard strike after collecting a half-cleared corner in the seventh minute of added time. His goal was followed by jubilant celebrations in the stadium with most Arsenal players and staff rushing to embrace Nelson; the win extended Arsenal's pursuit of a first league title in 19 years.[48] Arsenal eventually lost the title to Manchester City, but Nelson was voted Premier League Game Changer of the Season for his performance against Bournemouth,[49] and his winning goal was voted by club supporters as Arsenal Goal of the Season.[50] Charles Watts characterised the goal as "one of those moments in football that genuinely took the breath away – when despair turned into elation in a blink of an eye."[51]

Ahead of the new season, Nelson signed a new four-year contract with Arsenal, Arteta commented on Nelson's ability and importance to Arsenal saying that "Reiss knows how important he is to our squad with the quality he has".[52] He made his first appearance of the season against Manchester United in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium on 3 September, and later scored his first goal of the season against Brentford in the EFL Cup on 27 September; it was the only goal of the match.[53] Arsenal finished second in the league again behind Manchester City.[54] Despite just signing a long-term contract, it was speculated that Nelson might leave Arsenal in the 2024 Summer transfer window, as he made only one Premier League start for the club during the entire season.[55] In June, it was reported that he was assessing transfer options to potentially leave the club.[56]

2024–present: Fulham and Brentford loans

[edit]
Nelson with Fulham in 2024

With winger Raheem Sterling on the verge of joining Arsenal, Nelson joined Fulham on a season-long loan on deadline day.[57] He made his first appearance for the club against West Ham United on 14 September. Three days later, he scored his first goal for the club against Preston North End in the third round of the EFL Cup, a tie Fulham lost 16–15 in a penalty shootout after drawing 1–1.[58] On 21 September, he scored his first Premier League goal for Fulham in a 3–1 over Newcastle United.[59] Nelson's season ended after suffering a hamstring injury during a Premier League match against Brighton & Hove Albion in December.[60]

On 1 September 2025, Nelson joined Premier League club Brentford on a season-long loan.[61]

Nelson marked his first start for Brentford with a goal and an assist in the 5-0 EFL Cup triumph over Grimsby Town on 28 October , 2025.[62]

International career

[edit]

Nelson was first picked to represent England in November 2014, when the under-16 coach Steve Cooper selected Nelson to be a part of his 18-man squad to play Scotland on 20 November.[63] He subsequently made his youth international debut starting the match which England won 2–1.[64] Nelson was included in Cooper's squad for the 2016 UEFA European Under-17 Championship,[65] and he helped England reach the quarter-finals where they were knocked out by Spain;[66] Nelson was named in the Team of the Tournament for his performances with England.[67] During the under-19's 2018 UEFA European championship qualification campaign, Nelson scored twice against Hungary in March 2018.[68] Despite England qualifying for the tournament, he was one of a number of players withdrawn from selection for the tournament by their club.[69] On his under-21 debut against Andorra, he scored the sixth goal in England's 7–0 win at the Proact Stadium; the win sealed the team's qualification for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[70] During the tournament, Nelson made only one appearance, a 3–3 draw against Croatia in the group stage;[71] he scored England's first goal from a penalty, but it was not enough for England to qualify for the knockout stage.[72]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of match played 28 October 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Arsenal 2017–18[15] Premier League 3 0 1 0 3 0 8[c] 0 1[d] 0 16 0
2019–20[28] Premier League 17 1 2 1 1 1 2[c] 0 — 22 3
2020–21[39] Premier League 2 0 1 0 1 0 4[c] 1 1[d] 0 9 1
2021–22[43] Premier League 1 0 0 0 0 0 — — 1 0
2022–23[45] Premier League 11 3 0 0 1 0 6[c] 0 — 18 3
2023–24[53] Premier League 15 0 1 0 2 1 5[e] 0 0 0 23 1
2024–25[58] Premier League 1 0 — — — — 1 0
2025–26[73] Premier League 0 0 — — — — 0 0
Total 50 4 5 1 8 2 25 1 2 0 90 8
Arsenal U21 2023–24[53] — — — — 1[f] 0 1 0
TSG Hoffenheim (loan) 2018–19[24] Bundesliga 23 7 1 0 — 5[e] 0 — 29 7
Feyenoord (loan) 2021–22[43] Eredivisie 21 2 1 0 — 10[g] 2 — 32 4
Fulham (loan) 2024–25[58] Premier League 11 1 0 0 1 1 — — 12 2
Brentford (loan) 2025–26[73] Premier League 0 0 0 0 2 1 — — 2 1
Career total 105 14 7 1 11 4 40 3 3 0 166 22
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup, DFB-Pokal, KNVB Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b c d Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ a b Appearance in FA Community Shield
  5. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  6. ^ Appearance in EFL Trophy
  7. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League

Honours

[edit]

Arsenal U23

Arsenal

Feyenoord

Individual

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Reiss Nelson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Reiss Nelson is an English professional footballer who plays as a right-footed winger for on a season-long loan from in the . Born on 10 December 1999 in , , Nelson joined 's academy at the age of eight and progressed through the youth ranks, making his senior debut for the club in the 2017 Community Shield at age 17. Nelson's Arsenal career has been marked by intermittent first-team opportunities and several loan spells to gain experience. He scored his first goal for the Gunners in a 5-0 League Cup win over Nottingham Forest in 2019 and featured in 51 Premier League matches for Arsenal, netting four goals, including a memorable 97th-minute winner against Bournemouth in March 2023 that earned him the Premier League Gamechanger of the Season award. In the summer of 2023, he signed a long-term contract extension with Arsenal, but continued to develop through loans: to Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga (2018–19, where he scored seven goals in 23 appearances), Feyenoord in the Eredivisie (2021–22, contributing to their Europa Conference League final run), and Fulham in the Premier League (2024–25, limited to 11 appearances due to a hamstring injury). On 1 September 2025, Nelson joined Brentford on loan for the 2025–26 season, making his debut in a Carabao Cup match against Grimsby Town, where he scored a goal and provided an assist, though his Premier League minutes have been limited as of November 2025. Internationally, Nelson has represented at various youth levels, including the under-21 team, but has yet to earn a senior cap. Standing at 175 cm and known for his pace, dribbling, and versatility across forward positions, Nelson remains a promising talent in English football, with over 100 senior appearances across multiple leagues.

Early life

Background and family

Reiss Nelson was born on 10 December 1999 in , . He is of Jamaican descent through his mother and Zimbabwean descent through his father; his mother has been a pivotal figure in his life. Nelson grew up on the , a challenging neighborhood in known for its tough environment and competitive street football culture. This upbringing shaped his resilience and competitive drive from an early age. He shares a particularly close relationship with his mother, crediting her unwavering support for his football ambitions starting at age eight; she worked two jobs to provide for the family while driving him to training sessions three times a week, often covering an hour each way to ensure he could pursue his passion, along with his siblings, brother Ricky and sister , who are youth workers and helped keep him away from local gangs and drugs. During his youth years in , Nelson formed a deep friendship with fellow footballer , who lived just five minutes away in nearby and . This "proper brotherhood," as Nelson describes it, influenced his mindset by emphasizing mutual encouragement over rivalry, helping him navigate the pressures of their shared competitive world and fostering a resilient, supportive outlook.

Education and early influences

Nelson attended the London Nautical School in Blackfriars, , where he began his organized football involvement during as a number 10 in the school team. The school, known for producing football talent such as , provided a competitive environment where Nelson's side won nearly all matches, with only one loss recorded. Growing up on the in , a notoriously challenging plagued by drugs, gangs, and knife —often dubbed "Hell's waiting room"—Nelson developed resilience amid risks that ensnared many of his peers. This tough environment, one of London's roughest council estates, instilled a that shaped his character and approach to the game. Before joining a professional academy at age eight, Nelson participated in early local football through school matches and intense street games in the estate's concrete "cages"—enclosed courts where daily sessions honed his close control and competitiveness. His initial inspirations came from watching matches, particularly games on TV, where he dreamed of emulating young stars like and while playing in the cages. Family support, including from his Arsenal-fanatic relatives, further fueled this passion in his formative years.

Club career

Arsenal academy years (2008–2017)

Reiss Nelson joined 's academy at the Hale End facility on May 12, 2008, at the age of eight, where he was quickly identified as a promising talent due to his technical ability and pace. Throughout his youth development, Nelson progressed rapidly through the age groups, often playing with older teammates to challenge himself against more experienced opposition, a practice that academy staff encouraged to accelerate his growth. Under the guidance of academy managers, including , who took over in 2014, Nelson's potential became evident by age 14, with coaches and observers alike recognizing him as a standout prospect destined for senior football. He signed his first professional contract with in December 2016, marking a significant in his journey. During the 2016–17 season, Nelson featured prominently across 's youth sides, making 35 appearances for the under-18s and nine for the under-21s, while scoring seven goals in youth competitions. His contributions included notable performances in key tournaments, such as scoring in the against Ludogorets Razgrad and participating in the campaign. In the 2, Nelson delivered standout displays for Arsenal's under-21 team, particularly in the early part of the 2017–18 season, where he netted five goals across three matches in August alone, including strikes against Derby County, Manchester City, and , earning a for the league's Player of the Month award from opposing managers. These performances underscored his versatility as a winger and his ability to influence games at a high youth level. Nelson's academy tenure culminated in his first senior exposure on August 6, 2017, when he substituted into the against Chelsea at , becoming Arsenal's youngest player in the competition at 17 years and 239 days old during the Gunners' 4–1 victory after a 1–1 draw.

Hoffenheim loan (2018–2019)

On 31 August 2018, Reiss Nelson joined on a season-long loan from , shortly after signing a new long-term contract with his parent club. The move was influenced by Hoffenheim manager Julian Nagelsmann's reputation for developing young talent, with Nelson citing the coach's belief in youth players as a key factor in his decision to head to the despite initial reservations about leaving . This loan represented Nelson's first senior experience abroad, aimed at providing regular first-team minutes in a competitive league to aid his development. Nelson made an immediate impact, scoring on his Bundesliga debut on 15 September 2018 in a 2-1 defeat to , where he equalized with a low shot into the bottom corner after just 18 minutes as a substitute. Under Nagelsmann's high-pressing, possession-oriented system, which emphasized intense gegenpressing and fluid attacking play, Nelson adapted quickly to the physical and tactical demands of German football. He featured prominently as a winger, contributing pace and directness on the flanks, and earned praise from Nagelsmann for his potential to reach world-class levels, with the manager comparing his attributes to those of elite forwards. Across all competitions, Nelson made 29 appearances for during the 2018–19 season, scoring 7 goals and providing 1 assist, with all his goals coming in the where he played 23 matches. Notable performances included a brace in a 3-1 league win over on 20 October 2018, where he scored twice in six minutes to turn the game, and a winner in a 4-3 victory against Bayer in , following tactical advice from Nagelsmann on positioning. He also featured in five group-stage matches; finished third in their group and dropped into the round of 32. Nelson's contributions helped the team secure an 8th-place finish in the , qualifying for the . Nelson returned to Arsenal at the end of the season in summer 2019, having gained valuable experience in a top European league and crediting the for boosting his confidence and tactical awareness.

Arsenal first-team integration (2019–2021)

Upon returning from a successful spell at in the summer of 2019, Reiss Nelson was integrated into 's first-team squad under manager , marking his first full season in the . He made 22 appearances across all competitions during the 2019–20 campaign, primarily as a substitute on the right wing, with limited starting opportunities amid competition from established players. Nelson scored three goals in total, including his first senior strike for the club in a 5–0 win over Nottingham Forest on 24 September 2019, where he scored after entering as a substitute. Nelson's contributions extended to European and domestic cup competitions, highlighted by a goal in the third-round victory against United on 6 January 2020, securing a 1–0 win despite Leeds' dominance. He also found the net in the , scoring in a 2–1 home win over on 15 July 2020. The arrival of as head coach in December 2019 shifted the team's dynamics, with Nelson featuring in 10 of the remaining league matches but starting only twice under the new regime. Despite his involvement, Nelson's role remained peripheral during Arsenal's run to the , where he was part of the matchday squad but received minimal playing time beyond the early rounds, contributing to the club's 2–1 victory over Chelsea on 1 2020. This triumph marked Arsenal's 14th title and Nelson's first major honor, though his overall minutes totaled just 629 across the season. The 2020–21 season presented further challenges for Nelson, as injuries hampered his availability and intensified competition for wide positions under . He managed only nine appearances in all competitions, with no goals or assists, often relegated to the bench behind emerging talents like and reinforcements such as Willian. His limited involvement, totaling 284 minutes, underscored the transitional struggles in securing consistent first-team football amid Arsenal's squad rebuilding efforts.

Feyenoord loan (2021–2022)

In July 2021, amid limited first-team opportunities at , Reiss Nelson joined on a season-long to gain regular playing time in the . Nelson made his debut for on 16 2021, substituting in a 5–0 win over , and quickly adapted to the possession-oriented style under manager . Over the course of the season, he featured in 32 matches across all competitions, starting 19 times and accumulating 1,604 minutes. In the , Nelson appeared in 21 games, scoring twice and providing four assists, including a goal in a 4–0 victory against in January 2022. His contributions helped secure third place in the league with 71 points from 34 matches. In European competition, Nelson played a notable role in Feyenoord's run to the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League final, appearing in 10 matches with two goals and three assists. He scored his first European goal for the club in a 5–0 group-stage win over Maccabi on 25 2021 and added another in the quarter-final second leg against Partizan in April 2022, helping secure a 3–1 aggregate victory. Feyenoord ultimately lost 1–0 to Roma in the final on 25 May 2022 at the Air Albania Stadium in . Nelson's versatility as a winger, combining and creative passing, complemented Slot's high-pressing system, though he was sidelined briefly by a groin injury in late 2021 and in February 2022. Nelson returned to Arsenal in the summer of 2022, having gained valuable experience in a competitive environment that emphasized technical proficiency and tactical discipline.

Return to Arsenal and resurgence (2022–2024)

Upon returning to for the 2022–23 season following a spell at , Reiss Nelson secured an increased role in the first team under manager . He made 20 appearances across all competitions that season, including 11 in the where he scored three goals and provided two assists. One of his standout moments came on 4 March 2023, when he scored a dramatic 97th-minute winner in a 3–2 comeback victory against , completing Arsenal's recovery from a 2–0 deficit. This performance, which included an assist for Ben White's equalizer earlier in the match, earned Nelson the 's Castrol Game Changer of the Season award for 2022–23. Nelson's contributions were recognized with a new four-year contract extension signed on 6 July 2023, committing him to until 2027 with an option for an additional year. The deal rewarded his impact during the campaign and his status as a homegrown academy product. In the 2023–24 season, Nelson continued to feature regularly, making 23 appearances in all competitions and contributing two assists in the along with a goal in the Carabao Cup against . However, intensifying competition for attacking positions from players like and limited his starts, prompting considerations for further development opportunities via loan.

Recent loans to Fulham and Brentford (2024–present)

In the summer of 2024, Reiss Nelson joined on a season-long loan from , aiming to secure regular playing time in the . During the 2024–25 campaign, he featured in 11 appearances for the Cottagers, contributing one goal as he adapted to Marco Silva's system on the flanks. Nelson's stint at Fulham was cut short by a serious hamstring injury sustained in December 2024 during a league match, which required surgery in February 2025 and ultimately ruled him out for the remainder of the season, limiting his total outings to 13 across all competitions. The injury, which sidelined him for approximately 178 days, marked a frustrating interruption to his development following a promising start at Craven Cottage. After recovering over the summer, Nelson secured another loan move on 1 September 2025, joining Brentford for the 2025–26 Premier League season in a deal that includes an option to buy. He made his debut for the Bees in the EFL Cup third round against Aston Villa on 16 September 2025. He scored and provided an assist in the fourth round against Grimsby Town on 28 October 2025, starting in a 5–0 win that advanced Brentford to the quarter-finals. Nelson earned his first Premier League minutes with as a substitute on 1 November 2025 in a 0–2 defeat to , coming on for 16 minutes, and appeared for 1 minute in a 3–1 home win over Newcastle United on 9 November 2025. As of 19 November 2025, he continues to adapt under head coach Keith Andrews, building match fitness after his layoff while speculation grows around a potential permanent exit from , fueled by the loan's buy option and his early contributions at . No further appearances as of 19 November 2025.

International career

Youth levels (2014–2017)

Nelson made his debut for the under-16 team on 20 August , featuring in a 3–4 friendly defeat to at the age of 14. He earned three caps at this level, scoring once in limited appearances during and 2015. Progressing to the under-17 side in early 2015, Nelson quickly established himself as a prolific forward, netting 11 goals across 11 caps through qualifiers, friendlies, and tournaments. His form peaked during the 2016 UEFA in , where he played a pivotal role in 's group stage success, scoring three goals—including a penalty in a 2–0 win over and strikes against and —to help the team advance to the quarter-finals before a 1–2 loss to . His standout performances earned him a place in the tournament's Team of the Tournament. In 2016 and 2017, Nelson transitioned to the under-18 and under-19 squads, making three appearances and scoring once for the U18s in friendlies, while featuring in qualifiers and friendlies for the U19s with notable contributions in attack. By the end of 2017, he had accumulated 25 youth international caps and 15 goals, highlighting his development as a key goal-scoring threat in England's youth setup. This international experience complemented his parallel growth in Arsenal's academy.

Under-21 career (2019–2020)

Nelson earned his first call-up to the under-21 squad in October 2018 for qualifiers against and , making his debut as a substitute against Andorra on 11 October and scoring in the 7–0 win, before appearing in the 0–2 loss to five days later. He returned in 2018 for a friendly against , coming off the bench and scoring in the 5–1 defeat. In March 2019, Nelson was called up for friendlies against Poland and Germany, making substitute appearances in both matches and providing an assist in the 1-1 draw with Poland. He was subsequently included in the squad for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Italy, where he made his only appearance as a substitute against Croatia on 25 June, winning and converting a penalty to give England a 1-0 lead in their eventual 3-3 group-stage draw. Following the tournament, Nelson featured prominently in the 2019–20 qualifying campaign, starting in victories over (3-2 on 6 September 2019, where he scored England's second goal) and (2-0 on 9 September 2019). He came off the bench to score the third goal in a 3-0 win against on 15 November 2019 and also appeared as a substitute in the 1-2 friendly defeat to the three days later. In September 2020, Nelson returned for two more qualifiers, substituting in the 6-0 rout of on 4 September (scoring the fourth goal) and starting in the 2-1 win over on 8 September, contributing to England's unbeaten run in Group 3 that secured their qualification for the 2021 finals. These appearances across the 2018–20 period yielded a total of 12 caps for the under-21s, with 5 goals. Nelson's final under-21 caps came in these 2020 matches, after which his increasing focus on club loans and first-team opportunities at limited further international involvement at this level.

Career statistics

Club appearances and goals

As of November 19, 2025, Reiss Nelson has accumulated 164 senior club appearances, scoring 24 goals and providing 20 assists across various competitions, including league matches, domestic cups, and European tournaments. His club statistics, broken down by club with totals across all competitions (noting inclusions of cup and European games), are as follows:
ClubAppearancesGoalsAssistsNotes
Arsenal9389Includes Premier League (51 apps, 4 goals), FA Cup, EFL Cup, Champions League, and Europa League appearances; figures up to August 2024 before loans.
Hoffenheim2373Primarily Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal; loan spell in 2018–19.
Feyenoord3244Eredivisie, KNVB Cup, and UEFA Conference League; loan in 2021–22.
Fulham1221Premier League and FA Cup; loan in 2024–25, limited by hamstring injury.
Brentford4112025–26 season in Premier League (2 apps) and EFL Cup (2 apps).
Total1642218All senior club competitions as of November 19, 2025.
These figures encompass his contributions in both domestic and European fixtures, with limited starting roles in some seasons leading to substitute appearances.

International appearances and goals

Reiss Nelson represented at various youth international levels from under-16 to under-21, accumulating 40 caps and scoring 21 goals by 2020, with no appearances for the senior team and his international career concluding after the under-21 level in 2019. His contributions were particularly notable at under-17 level, where he featured prominently in qualifying and tournament matches, including the 2016 . The following table summarizes his appearances and goals by youth age group:
Age GroupAppearancesGoals
U1631
U171611
U1831
U1964
U21124
Total4021
These figures encompass competitive fixtures and friendlies as recorded up to the end of his youth international involvement in 2020.

Honours

Club achievements

Nelson was part of 's squad that won the , coming on as a substitute in the 4–1 victory over Chelsea after a 1–1 draw. He also featured in the , scoring in the as defeated 5–4 following a 1–1 draw. Additionally, Nelson was included in 's matchday squad for the , where they secured a 2–1 win against Chelsea, though he did not play in the final itself after contributing a goal in an earlier round against Leeds United. During his loan at in the 2021–22 season, Nelson helped the team reach the UEFA Europa Conference League final, where they finished as runners-up after a 1–0 defeat to Roma. At youth level, Nelson played a key role in Arsenal's under-23 team winning the 2 Division 1 title, scoring in the decisive 3–1 victory over West Ham United that clinched the championship. Nelson has not won any major honours during his loan spells at (2018–19), (2024–25), or (2025–26).

Individual awards

Reiss Nelson has received several individual accolades recognizing his standout performances at youth and senior levels. In 2018, he was named the 2 Player of the Season after contributing significantly to Arsenal's under-23 team's title win in Division 1, where he scored nine goals in the competition. At the international youth level, Nelson was selected for the Team of the Tournament at the 2016 , where he scored three goals for during the finals in . In the 2022/23 Premier League season, Nelson earned the Game Changer of the Season award for his dramatic 97th-minute winning goal against on March 4, 2023, which secured a 3-2 victory for and was deemed the most impactful substitute performance of the campaign based on optical tracking data. As of November 2025, these remain Nelson's major individual honors, with no additional significant personal awards recorded in his career.

References

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  53. https://www.transfermarkt.com/reiss-nelson/nationalmannschaft/spieler/340325/verein_id/22907
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