Alexandre Lacazette backs 'top player' Reiss Nelson to star at Arsenal

Young gun: Nelson is considered the brightest prospect in Arsenal's Hale End academy
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
James Benge20 September 2017

Alexandre Lacazette is backing youngster Reiss Nelson to prove himself a “top player” at Arsenal.

Nelson is among the most talked about young prospects in English football despite having played only seven minutes of competitive football for Arsene Wenger’s first-team.

However his impressive performances in pre-season and for the youth sides, where he has scored six goals in five Premier League 2 games, have Arsenal supporters salivating… and they aren’t the only ones eager to see what Nelson can do.

“I think Reiss is very good,” Lacazette told Arsenal Player. “I believe he will be a top player for the club. He already impressed me during pre-season and it's great to see what he's been doing for the under-23s.

Arsenal training on 19th September 2017 - In pictures

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“His stats are very good and he's been performing well. When he's played with us, he's shown that he has real quality.”

Nelson has not been the only young gun impressing for Arsenal, who are second behind Liverpool after five games of the Premier League 2 season.

Eddie Nketiah has three goals this season and 27 in 39 appearances for the youth setup.

The 18-year-old joined the senior squad on their pre-season tour and made an impression on Lacazette, who added: “I really like Eddie as well.

“He's a great striker at the academy. He is very calm in front of goal and has great technique.”