REISS NELSON and Kye Whyte always dreamed of racing to the top.
Arsenal forward Nelson and the Olympic BMX medallist have been wheelie close pals since they were eight.
GettyBritish BMX hero Kye Whyte says he always knew Reiss Nelson would reach the top[/caption]
GettyReiss Nelson (centre) used to ride with the Olympian as a youngster[/caption]
The pair, both now 23, spent hours riding their bikes around South London while growing up.
Whyte — whose silver at Tokyo 2020 was Team GB’s first-ever BMX medal — said: “Reiss used to live on a Walworth estate, I lived in Peckham. We used to ride mountain bikes together. And Reiss is pretty decent on a bike, to be fair.
“He never did the BMX as he was doing his football at that time.
“We became good friends and have been friends ever since.
“We used to ride all over London. No destination. Just rode to silly places.
“We used to ride to the South Bank and back a lot. Mainly round the streets.
“Though back in the day, he had a couple of falls off his bike while doing a wheelie!
“I always knew Reiss was one of the best in South London.
“Everyone knew him at a young age just being so good at football.
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“In my heart, I always wanted him to be in the Premier League and doing the things he’s doing now.”
Nelson has had to wait for his chance with Arsenal following injury setbacks and loan spells with German outfit Hoffenheim and Holland’s Feyenoord.
But on Saturday, he wrote his name into Arsenal folklore with his 97TH-MINUTE winner for Mikel Arteta’s men as they came back from 2-0 down to beat Bournemouth 3-2.
Nelson is now set to start in tonight’s Europa League last-16 first-leg clash against Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.
Whyte, who appeared in last year’s Dancing on Ice series, is full of admiration for his mate.
And the Olympian will use him as a role model and inspiration as he targets gold at the 2024 Paris Games. Gunners fan Whyte added: “When Reiss scored in the last minute, I called his cousin and his brother. They were at the Emirates Stadium, literally crying and shouting.
“I couldn’t believe it. Reiss is enjoying his time right now.
“That goal could be the moment in the Premier League — the difference from Manchester City catching us.
“What he has done for himself, the club and his family is unreal.
“When we are out together or walk down the streets, people stop him for pictures.
GettyReiss Nelson scored a last-ditch winner for Arsenal against Bournemouth[/caption]
“He isn’t flashy, he looks after his family. He’s a great guy.
“In BMX it is not the same amount of money.
“But when I saw his house, I said to him that it has made me want to push more in my sport.
“I want to buy my house like that and do the things he has done for his family for my own.”
Whyte backed his pal to go even further and added: “One hundred per cent, Reiss can go to the top.
“I feel like he needs to be a starter now. I feel like he needs to be given that chance to show what he can do and prove himself.
“Reiss is very humble and level-headed, he makes sure he is at training on time.
“He’s very professional and keeps his other life away from the football life. He does what needs to be done.
“As long as he is playing and scoring, then I am happy for him.”