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Former Gunner impressed by Arsenal loanee in training

Former Gunner impressed by Arsenal loanee in training
Former Gunner impressed by Arsenal loanee in training

Alex Iwobi is pleased to be playing with Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson again, and he expects Nelson to get more chances in the coming weeks.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Reiss Nelson of Fulham celebrates with Rodrigo Muniz after scoring 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)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Reiss Nelson of Fulham celebrates with Rodrigo Muniz after scoring 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)

Fulham are starting to build a bit of a collection of former Arsenal players, with Bernd Leno, Alex Iwobi, and Emile Smith Rowe joined by loanee Reiss Nelson for this season.

Leno, Iwobi, and Smith Rowe have been starting together on a regular basis this season so far, though Nelson has taken a bit longer to break into the team. That’s partly due to Iwobi himself, with both players competing for starts on the wings.

Speaking to Sky Sports this week, Iwobi suggested he’s pleased to be playing with his former Hale End teammates again.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Reiss Nelson of Fulham celebrates scoring 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)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Reiss Nelson of Fulham celebrates scoring 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)

“Yeah, it’s been nice, especially me and Emile,” Iwobi said. “We’ve been playing on the left, we’ve been linking up well.

“Reiss has been making an impact on the bench and I’m sure he’s going to get his chance soon. Reiss, we see his qualities in training, he can glide past people, makes things happen on the pitch.

“It’s been nice to have the players coming in, and everyone’s gelled together really well.”

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: Bernd Leno of Fulham celebrates after teammate Manor Solomon (not pictured) scores the team's first goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Fulham FC at American Express Community Stadium on February 18, 2023 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND: Bernd Leno of Fulham celebrates after teammate Manor Solomon (not pictured) scores the team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Fulham FC at American Express Community Stadium on February 18, 2023. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

As for Leno, the goalkeeper obviously doesn’t have the same academy history as the other three, only joining Arsenal as a senior player.

The goalkeeper’s performances have been highly rated since his move to Fulham, and he even provided an assist for Raul Jimenez in their last game against Aston Villa. But he’s struggling for clean sheets, with only one in eight games this season.

The German international will look to change that against Everton on Saturday evening.