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Bumper Arsenal contract decision may be about to be proven right after 'valuable' Edu admission

Edu Gaspar smiling
-Credit: (Image: Alex Burstow/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)


Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson briefly shared the same pitch again on Saturday afternoon as the Arsenal loanee made his Fulham debut against West Ham United.

Nelson, 24, signed too late on transfer deadline day to feature versus Ipswich Town before the September international break but belatedly made his bow a fortnight later at Craven Cottage. The winger replaced Sasa Lukic midway through the second half, with former Gunners teammate Alex Iwobi making way as part of a double change.

But the other two Hale End graduates did get some seven minutes together before Tom Cairney came on for Smith Rowe. Despite picking up a booking in added time for delaying the restart before Danny Ings scored a 95th-minute equaliser, Nelson impressed.

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In under half an hour, he completed both two dribbles he attempted, a total only bettered by Mohammed Kudus and his teammate Adama Traore. Nelson also got off two shots, one of which hit the target - the other being blocked - with only striker Raul Jimenez managing to test West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola more.

Showing the other side of his game, he also won both tackles he attempted, being dispossessed himself just once and receiving a booking for the only foul he committed. Head coach Marco Silva now has the ideal opportunity to hand Nelson a first start in midweek when they play away at Championship club Preston North End in the Carabao Cup third round.

Fulham are then back home to face Newcastle United in the Premier League next weekend before visiting Nottingham Forest and Manchester City before the October international break. Arsenal must hope Nelson and his new club can do them a favour by securing a positive result at the Etihad Stadium in the latter match.

Nelson is out on loan for the first time since signing a new long-term contract last summer. At the time, sporting director Edu acknowledged that "he has gained good experience on loan, has come back and showed just how valuable he is to us." The winger is already reminding them of that value in west London.