Arsenal's teenage prospect Reiss Nelson says he's ready to capitalise on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's exit by grabbing any first-team opportunities "with both hands."
Nelson, 17, has created a huge buzz among Arsenal fans with his displays in preseason and with the under-23s, where he has netted five goals in three games this campaign.
Nelson was named the Premier League 2's player of the month for August, and Arsene Wenger said at his news conference on Thursday that Oxlade-Chamberlain's departure to Liverpool could "open the door" for Nelson or fellow academy prospect Joe Willock.
"It's a great feeling," Nelson told the Arsenal website when asked about Wenger's comments. "Along with Joe as well, we're both still young players looking for the opportunity, so when things like that happen I think we'll be ready for it and will take it with both hands."
Nelson is a natural attacking midfielder but was used as a right wing-back by Wenger during the preseason tour of Australia and China -- the same position Oxlade-Chamberlain occupied after Arsenal's switch to a back-three formation last season.
Hector Bellerin is expected to be Wenger's first-choice wing-back as long as he stays with the back three, but Nelson said he's ready to step in wherever he is needed.
"At the end of the day I'm a player and if the boss puts my in that position, I will do my best job for the team. At the moment I'm playing in a front three and I'm finding my goals there, and feeling really confident there," he said.
"At the moment I'm happy to play in a front three or, if I have to do it for the team, play right wing-back as well."