Former Arsenal academy coach Roy Massey admits Reiss Nelson would now be a Tottenham player if not for one of his old scouts.

Nelson is now on the brink of signing a new deal with the Gunners.

Massey recalled to BBC Sport: "Reiss was brought in for training at the age of eight by scout Alan Knowles.

"He had already been spotted by Tottenham Hotspur, with whom he was training.

"Alan had been driving home after watching a district schoolboy game and as he passed a park he noticed a group of young footballers enjoying a game between themselves.

"Alan stopped to take a look and after a while he saw a little boy receive the ball before dribbling past three opponents. As the keeper came out to stop his shot the young player feinted to shoot and, as the keeper dived to anticipate the shot, the boy dribbled round him before calmly slotting the ball into the goal.

"Alan was impressed and asked the eight-year-old to come and train at the Arsenal academy, where he subsequently stayed for many years before signing professionally for the Gunners."