Former Manchester United center-back Rio Ferdinand has urged Reiss Nelson of Arsenal to keep fighting for a starting spot under coach Mikel Arteta.

When Bukayo Saka is unable to play for the Gunners, Ferdinand wants Nelson to step in as the team's "go-to guy."

Nelson played in his first English Premier League game of the year on Sunday at the Emirates against Nottingham Forest.

At the 27-minute point, Saka had to be replaced due to an injury, and the 22-year-old took his place.

Nelson has been urged by Ferdinand to keep fighting for a spot in Arsenal's first team at the North London club after he contributed an assist and two goals in Arsenal's 5-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.

"The big thing for him is he can't allow this to be just another moment," Ferdinand stated on his YouTube channel (via The Boot Room). Instead of scoring two goals on average, this needs to be the norm for Arsenal's setup.

“He needs to be the go-to guy when Saka or Martinelli aren’t fit, or if they are out of form, or if the game’s not going well, then all of a sudden he’s pushing to be a starter in this team.”

He added, “It can’t be that you’ve had this moment now and celebrated it and we don’t see him again for another year and he goes on a couple of loans.”