Arsenal loanee Reiss Nelson made his first start for Brentford on Tuesday night, providing a goal and an assist in a dominant League Cup win over Grimsby Town.
Having suffered from illness at the end of September, Arsenal loanee Reiss Nelson has struggled to get involved for Brentford on his loan spell so far.
The 25-year-old missed out on the matchday squads to face Fulham, Manchester United, and Manchester City, before returning to the bench against West Ham United and Liverpool. But he was still waiting for his first start until Tuesday night.
Brentford were taking on Grimsby Town in the League Cup, knowing that their opponents had already eliminated Manchester United from the competition.
Nelson made his only previous Brentford appearance as a substitute in the previous round, scoring in the penalty-shootout against Aston Villa. But this time he was named in the starting lineup, and he took full advantage.
Shortly after Mathias Jensen gave Brentford an early lead, Nelson provided his first goal contribution of the night by setting up Keane Lewis-Potter’s goal.
Nelson raced around a defender with a clever flick before feinting one way and going the other, crossing with his weaker left foot for Lewis-Potter to head home for 2-0.
The Arsenal loanee then made it three with a goal of his own, picking the ball up on the edge of the penalty area and placing a shot into the far corner of the net.
Nelson came off in the 68th minute at 4-0, and Brentford added a fifth before full time to really rub salt in the wounds. They’re now in the draw for the quarter-finals along with Cardiff City and Fulham.