Arsenal forward joining Brentford on loan, Mikel Arteta once thought he'd reach the very top
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Credit: Imago / Hasan Karim - Breaking Media
Ben Palmer
Mon 1 September 2025 12:46, UK
Brentford have secured the services of an Arsenal forward on loan who was once tipped to become a world-class player by Mikel Arteta.
The Bees have been busy this summer, adding six new players to Keith Andrews’ squad.
Brentford made Dango Ouattara their record signing when he joined from Bournemouth in August for a fee of £42.5million [BBC Sport].
But the outgoings have been the real point of interest this summer, as the club have seen Thomas Frank, Christian Norgaard, and Bryan Mbeumo depart.
And with Yoane Wissa on his way to join Newcastle, Brentford have moved quickly to shore up their front-line with a player once tipped for stardom.
Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media
Reiss Nelson was a target for Fulham this summer after spending last season on loan at Craven Cottage.
The winger enjoyed a strong first half of the 2024/25 campaign, but a hamstring injury ended his season, and he returned from his loan to rejoin Arsenal this summer.
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Nelson was made surplus to requirements upon his return to the Emirates and the winger’s career has been in steep decline in recent years.
Five years ago, Arteta said that the then-20-year-old could be a “top, top player” for Arsenal, and that the winger had the “potential to do whatever he wants” [The Guardian].
With a view to resurrecting what was once one of the most promising careers in English football, Nelson is returning to West London, but this time, he will join Brentford.
Fabrizio Romano reported on X that the 25-year-old had turned down interest from other Premier League clubs, as well as teams in Europe.
Football Insider Verdict
Speaking to Football Insider exclusively, Matt Le Tissier tipped Brentford to be relegated this season.
Put simply, the Premier League legend is unconvinced by the decision to hire Andrews as Frank’s replacement, and who can blame him?
Le Tissier is voicing the view of the majority on this one, hiring a set-piece coach to replace one of the Premier League’s best managers in recent years was certainly a choice.
Credit: Imago
But, Brentford are a savvy club; if they like someone, there will be a plethora of data and reasons that they have been chosen, be it as a player or a manager.
And with Nelson joining Ouattara, Mikkel Damsgaard, and Kevin Schade in Brentford’s front line, the Bees now have the firepower needed to survive a relegation battle.