Former Arsenal defender Keown hails Reiss Nelson and compares him Neymar

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has heaped praise on youngster Reiss Nelson after his auspicious performance during the Gunners' 4-2 Europa League victory over BATE Borisov.

The 17-year-old, who usually operates as an attacking winger, was deployed as a wing back by Arsene Wenger for the tie on Thursday.

Despite being in unfamiliar territory Nelson was comfortable, confident and composed during the 79 minutes he played.

On a night when Theo Walcott bagged himself a brace, Olivier Giroud netted his 100th Arsenal goal and Jack Wilshere looked back to his best, Keown singled out Nelson for standing out in a young Arsenal side.

'Congratulations to those young Arsenal players,' he told BT Sport.

'All those nervous parents watching their kids playing miles away from home and I thought all of them were magnificent in the way they played, particularly Nelson.

'He showed the sort of touches that you often see or associate with a Neymar or a real top player, he was breezing past players and Wenger will know the quality that he has.

'17 years of age, it’s quite phenomenal the ability this boy has. There’s certainly a big future there, he really does look a wonderful talent.'

It was Nelson's fourth appearance for Arsenal this season, having played in the Community Shield and recently against Cologne and Doncaster.

It may still be too early for Wenger to consider chucking him in from the start against Brighton on Sunday, but the teenager would have certainly given him to something to think about and would have earned several plaudits for the way he played.