Hale End duo score their first goals since leaving Arsenal

Last night was a fruitful showing in the EFL Cup for Hale End graduates. Two Arsenal players who exited the club in the summer have scored their first goals for new clubs.

Arsenal will have no regrets from the summer transfer window. They strengthened in key positions and also let go of some players who didn't quite make the cut.

However, there weren't any players who were disposed of by Arsenal who left with any bitter feeling. In fact, fans still have a great relationship with the players who exited, particularly the Hale End graduates.

In the summer, Arsenal let go of Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson (loan) and Eddie Nketiah.

Of those players, two netted for the first time since leaving Arsenal.

Hale End duo score their first goals since leaving Arsenal

In the EFL Cup third round, Eddie Nketiah started for Crystal Palace as they beat Crystal Palace. It didn't take long for Eddie Nketiah to find the net as in the 16th minute, he scored a great goal at the far-post.

Also in action was Eddie Nketiah's Hale End teammates Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe. For Fulham, Reiss Nelson started the match and opened his account to equalise for the Cottagers.

Emile Smith Rowe was introduced from the bench for Fulham and he scored a goal in the lengthy penalty shootout. However, Nelson and Smith Rowe were eliminated from the competition, as Preston won the shootout.

Ultimately, it was a great showing for Arsenal's Hale End graduates as they all found the back of the net in one way or another. Arsenal never doubted their quality but they were simply surplus to requirements.

What the EFL Cup third round conclusion does mean is that Reiss Nelson will ultimately play less minutes while on loan at Fulham. This is because they will no longer compete in the EFL Cup this season.

If we are being frank, though, it doesn't seem like Nelson is loaned out on an "impress-me-to-play" basis. Instead, Arsenal are essentially prolonging their inevitable sale because, let's face it, finding a buyer willing to pay his wages was difficult.

Regardless, it was nice to see Arsenal's Hale End gang get on the scoresheet last night.

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