Arsenal have confirmed that attacker Reiss Nelson has signed a new long-term contract with the club.

The Englishman briefly became a free agent after his previous contract expired at the end of June, but he has now committed his future to the Gunners until the summer of 2027.

Nelson has snubbed reported interest from the likes of AC Milan and Brighton & Hove Albion to continue at Arsenal, whom he has represented since the age of eight.

"I'm kind of lost for words. I've been here since I was eight, I'm 23 now. It's been a hell of a journey & I'm just so happy. My family are Arsenal supporters, so that makes it even happier. I can't wait to get started for the new season," Nelson told arsenal.com.

Manager Mikel Arteta added: "Reiss is a player I have admired since the first day I was here. He has tremendous ability and is such an exciting offensive talent. Reiss knows how important he is to our squad with the quality he has.

"It's great that Reiss has committed his future to us - he knows this club so well, he grew up here and we look forward to enjoying many more good moments with him."

Meanwhile, sporting director Edu said: "Reiss is still only 23 years old but has already made a significant contribution to Arsenal for many years. He has gained good experience on loan, has come back and showed just how valuable he is to us.

"We are so happy to agree a new deal with Reiss, and we are proud that he is another young player who has developed through our Academy into our first team."

Nelson - once regarded as one of the most promising talents in the Arsenal academy - has contributed seven goals and seven assists from 66 games since breaking into the Arsenal first team.

The 23-year-old made his debut in the 2017 Community Shield against Chelsea aged just 17, and he has also enjoyed productive loan spells at Hoffenheim and Feyenoord in the early stages of his career.

While on the books at Feyenoord in the 2021-22 season, Nelson helped the Rotterdam giants reach the final of the Europa Conference League, and he returned to Arsenal to act as backup for Bukayo Saka on the right-hand side.

The former England Under-21 international failed to start a single Premier League game last season, but he proved a valuable option off the bench with three goals and two assists from 11 games in the top flight.

Nelson scored a brace and provided an assist in a 5-0 trouncing of Nottingham Forest, before setting up Ben White and scoring a last-gasp winner in a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over Bournemouth.

The attacker's renewal follows previous agreements for Saka, Aaron Ramsdale, Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Mohamed Elneny over the past 12 months, as Arteta prepares his squad for a return to the Champions League.

William Saliba is also understood to have signed a new four-year contract, with an announcement due imminently, while Martin Odegaard is in line for a new-and-improved deal. body check tags ::