Ray Parlour hails Reiss Nelson as Arsenal's "future"

Club legend Ray Parlour has said that Reiss Nelson should be regarded as Arsenal's long-term option on the right flank.

On Monday night, the academy graduate supplied both assists as the Gunners recorded a 2-0 victory over Portsmouth in the FA Cup fifth round.

Despite an injury-hit campaign which has seen the 20-year-old make just 10 starts and five substitute outings, Parlour has claimed that the England Under-21 international is Arsenal's "future".

Speaking to talkSPORT, Parlour said: "Two assists again. His record has been excellent. You can see his pace, especially on the second goal – the way he went past that left-back once he dropped his shoulder and pushed it on he was gone. You can't catch someone like that.

"He is certainly the future for Arsenal on that side. If I was to have one critique of him, it is that he needs to believe in himself a bit more, because he is such a good player."

Nelson has been understudy to the likes of Nicolas Pepe for much of the season.