Arsenal loanee provides assist in European semi-final

Arsenal have loan players at three of the four Europa Conference League semi-finalists, with Reiss Nelson and Feyenoord facing off against William Saliba, Matteo Guendouzi and Marseille, whilst Ainsley Maitland-Niles and AS Roma play Leicester City.

The first leg of both ties took place on Thursday, with three of the four players getting starts. Maitland-Niles was the one exception, not featuring at all in Roma’s 1-1 away draw.

The other game was filled with plenty of excitement, a five-goal thriller that sets up an enticing second leg.

Feyenoord initially raced into a 2-0 lead, with Nelson providing the assist for their second goal. Nelson beat the offside trap to get in behind on the right-hand side, and as Saliba got back to cover, Nelson cut a pass back to Luis Sinisterra to score.

You can watch Nelson’s assist here from 0:46.

Just as it started to look like a historical night for the Dutch side, Marseille bounced back and completed a two-goal comeback before the end of the first half.

Going into the second period at 2-2, Feyenoord retook the lead within 10 seconds of the restart, Cyriel Dessers pouncing on a mistake. Nelson subsequently came off in the 65th minute.

We know at least one Arsenal loanee will be in the Europa Conference League final this year, whether it’s Nelson or the Saliba-Guendouzi combo.

With Leicester City now having to travel away to Roma and win, it’s very possible Maitland-Niles will be in the opposition squad for that final. Though after just five minutes of action in seven games this month, it’s unlikely Maitland-Niles will start.