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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta handed perfect reason to forget Mykhaylo Mudryk transfer
Arsenal have been handed a dilemma over their interest in Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been handed a timely reminder amid his interest in Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk. The Gunners are keen on signing a wide player in January but Reiss Nelson could be the answer instead and save the club millions in the process.
Nelson is out of contract at Arsenal at the end of the season. But he has revealed he wants to sign a new deal and continue his career at his boyhood side.
The 23-year-old was one of the most highly-rated players to come through the Arsenal academy. Many expected him to have gone on to better things sooner than he has.
Nelson has had loan spells at Hoffenheim and Feyenoord without the success he would have hoped. His future at Arsenal looked bleak and Arteta was prepared to let him go out on loan again in the summer.
Nelson decided to stay and could now reap the rewards. His brace off the bench in the win over Nottingham Forest in October sent a reminder to Arteta of his ability.
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And after scoring in the friendly win over AC Milan on Tuesday, where his confidence shone through, he has again sent a message to his manager. When asked if he wants to stay at Arsenal, Nelson told reporters: "Of course. I’ve been here since I was eight and Arsenal is all I know.
"I’m only a couple of minutes from the stadium, all my family is there. So of course I’d love to stay.
"I’m 23 now so I’ve been here a long time and I’m Arsenal through and through. So to be playing, even in games just like this [friendlies], I'm delighted.
"Of course injuries are just a minor setback, but of course I just look towards the future and hopefully I can play many more years at the club."
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Arteta will undoubtedly see Nelson's quotes as he travels back to the UK from the mid-season trip to Dubai. Nelson is almost in the last chance saloon at the Emirates and has to do all he can to catch his manager's attention.
Arteta is clearly a fan of Mudryk and his performances in the Champions League for Shakhtar show why he is such an exciting talent. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have started every Premier League game so far this season, so adequate backup is needed to give them a rest.
But Saka and Martinelli are only at the beginning of their careers and Arsenal fans will be hoping they stick around for the long haul. Bringing in a player such as Mudryk could disrupt the mood among the attackers.
Nelson would be more than happy to play second fiddle behind the star duo. Arteta must now decide whether he is up to the required standard or if his time is up and Mudryk is a necessary signing.
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