Arsenal loanee suffers hamstring injury in 5th start | OneFootball

Reiss Nelson, currently on loan at Fulham from Arsenal, sustained what appears to be a significant hamstring injury during Thursday night’s 3-1 victory over Brighton.

The injury occurred midway through the second half, forcing the winger off in the 71st minute. Nelson, clasping his face in visible distress before he was substituted, seemed to indicate that the issue was more than a minor strain, adding further concerns about his immediate availability for Fulham.

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Hamstring injuries are generally classified by three grades, ranging from a mild overstretch (Grade 1) to a complete muscle tear (Grade 3). Given Nelson’s visible reaction, which included moments where he clasped his hands across his face in evident frustration, it is likely that the injury leans towards the more severe end of the spectrum—a Grade 2 or even possibly a Grade 3 injury.

Such injuries can require several weeks to months of recovery, depending on the extent of the damage. Grade 2 injuries often result in a partial tear, causing significant pain and functional impairment, whereas Grade 3 injuries are complete ruptures that typically require a long rehabilitation period and, in severe cases, even surgery.

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This setback could sideline Nelson for several weeks, a timeline that becomes particularly concerning for Fulham given their increasing reliance on his pace and versatility on the flanks. Nelson’s presence has become more pivotal in recent matches, having started five consecutive Premier League games for Fulham.

This latest injury also marks another addition to his troubling injury history—a series of thigh issues that plagued his latter years at Arsenal before this loan, including a significant period during the 2022/23 campaign when he missed a combined 108 days and 17 matches across two injuries.

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While on loan at Feyenoord before his Fulham move, Nelson similarly endured a spate of injuries, sitting out 12 matches, and has been no stranger to other fitness concerns throughout his career. These include a mix of head, knee, thigh, hamstring, ankle and back problems that have cumulatively forced him out of 40 matches in prior seasons.

Fulham, however, found ample reason to celebrate on Thursday night, with Alex Iwobi delivering a standout performance by netting two of their three goals.

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The Nigerian international has hit a purple patch of form, claiming five goal involvements in his last four outings. This recent surge highlights a notable transformation in Iwobi’s productivity since joining Fulham. The Arsenal academy graduate seems to have found his stride, scoring his 10th and 11th goals for the Cottagers in what has been a productive stint, outpacing his output during his time at Everton at rate of almost 3:1.

Looking ahead, Arsenal face Fulham this Sunday at Craven Cottage, with Fulham entering the clash full of confidence, buoyed by their recent form. This meeting takes on an added significance, given the presence of several former Arsenal players in the Fulham squad.

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Referred to affectionately by some as ‘Arsenal West,’ the Cottagers now boast Alex Iwobi, Emile Smith Rowe, Bernd Leno, and, of course, the injured Reiss Nelson among their ranks.

Smith Rowe will be facing his old club for the first time since his €31.8m summer switch, while Bernd Leno will meet his former employers for the fifth time since his bargain €3.6m departure in 2022.

He’s managed only one win while conceding eight goals.

For Arsenal, Sunday’s encounter represents another key opportunity to build on their recent revival after enduring a difficult period where they failed to secure a win in four successive Premier League fixtures. Three back-to-back domestic wins have now restored some much-needed momentum for Mikel Arteta‘s side.

Although Nelson is ineligible to play against Arsenal due to Premier League restrictions, the Gunners will be wary of Fulham’s other ex-Gunners, especially with Iwobi in the “form of his career.”