Arsenal loanee still waiting for start despite goals & assists | OneFootball

Arsenal loanee Reiss Nelson has appeared in every game since his move to Fulham, but the winger is still waiting for his first league start.

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)

When Reiss Nelson came on for Fulham against Aston Villa on Saturday, it was the fifth time in five consecutive games that he’d made a substitute appearance for the team.

Having moved on loan from Arsenal on transfer deadline day, Nelson arrived too late to be eligible for the 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town the following afternoon. That’s the only one of Fulham’s seven matches that Nelson has missed since his move.

Yet the 24-year-old may well be disappointed that he’s still yet to break into the starting lineup with his loan side.

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)

After a cameo appearance against West Ham on his debut, Nelson made the starting lineup against Preston North End in the League Cup, scoring his first goal.

The winger then scored against Newcastle United that weekend, before providing an assist against Manchester City to kick off October.

From just 182 minutes on the pitch for Fulham, Nelson already has three direct goal contributions.

Reiss Nelson celebrating a goal for Fulham (Photo via Fulham on Twitter)

Despite seemingly proving his worth to his new team, Nelson continues to wait for his first league start.

Alex Iwobi and Adama Traore appear impossible to displace right now. That’s despite having two and three goal contributions respectively, no more than Nelson.

Fulham travel to Everton next, then face Brentford, Crystal Palace, and Wolves. This seems like a good time for Nelson to break in before a bunch of big-six matches in December.