Arsenal loanee praised after 1st Premier League start | OneFootball

Marco Silva gave a positive assessment of Reiss Nelson’s performance on Monday, as the Arsenal loanee made his first Premier League start for Fulham.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Kevin Schade of Brentford challenges Reiss Nelson of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Brentford FC at Craven Cottage on November 04, 2024. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson is out on loan with Fulham this season, but the 24-year-old has had to work to earn his chance in the Premier League starting lineup.

Nelson made his first start for Fulham in the League Cup in mid-September, scoring against Preston North End. The winger then scored against Newcastle United in the Premier League later that week, but his wait for a league start went on for two months.

That wait finally ended on Monday, as the loanee was named in Fulham’s starting lineup against Brentford.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Reiss Nelson of Fulham scores his team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Newcastle United FC at Craven Cottage on September 21, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Nelson played 82 minutes of the 2-1 win and generally put in an impressive display, though manager Marco Silva suggested the player did his best work in the first half.

“A very good first half, he probably should have scored because he created the best moments,” Silva said. “He’s made a good impact on our squad so far and is going to help us to be stronger throughout the season.”

Nelson completed 93% of his passes and created a couple of chances, as well as completing five of seven attempted dribbles for Fulham.

But as mentioned by Silva, he probably should have scored, missing one big chance due to a good double save by Mark Flekken.

PRESTON, ENGLAND: Reiss Nelson of Fulham is put under pressure by Josh Bowler of Preston North End during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Preston North End and Fulham at Deepdale on September 17, 2024. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

It will be interesting now to see whether Nelson keeps his place for the upcoming games.

Adama Traore and Alex Iwobi have been preferred on the wings so far this season, and Traore dropped to the bench to make way for Nelson on Monday.

But the Spanish winger came on as a substitute and provided an assist late in the game, so he’s clearly ready to fight for his spot.

Fulham have one more game before the November international break, playing away to Crystal Palace on Saturday, November 9th at 15:00 GMT.