From the press box: Fulham could be without six for Gunners clash

Jack Kelly gives us the low-down from Marco Silva's pre-Arsenal presser.

After another international break, we’re finally back. Arsenal at home. The league leaders come to the Cottage after failing to win in their last two visits to SW6. All the talk in the lead up to today’s press conference was focussed on team news - after Fulham had fallen into somewhat of an injury crisis after our last game at the Vitality Stadium.

At that point, Silva’s side were without Kenny Tete, Antonee Robinson, Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Muniz. Sasa Lukic had to hobble off during the early exchanges with Bournemouth.

Following Silva’s first answer at a little after 13:30 this afternoon, five injured men had turned into six.

“The number of injuries are not good for us at the moment. We are in a worse situation than before. Jedi out, Lukic out, Muniz out, prob Chukwueze out. Kenny and Raul are doubts, we are not sure about them for tomorrow. Lukic one-to-two weeks, let’s see.”

Being clear, Robinson is going to be out. Sasa Lukic is going to be out. Rodrigo Muniz is going to be out. Chukwueze is probably going to be out and Kenny and Raul, they are doubts. Right now we are not sure that they can be involved in the squad list.”

Ah. Not the best news. But hey, Arsenal have injuries too…right?

No Noni Madueke, but they’ve got Bukayo Saka.

No Kai Havertz or Gabriel Jesus, but they’ve got Viktor Gyokeres.

No Martin Odegaard, but they’ve got Eberechi Eze.

Listen, fair play.

Silva also made this point, saying “It’s a waste of time if you’re going to compare.”

But, I did the research, I did go compare, but the result was just a car insurance advert with a man singing very loudly.

Back to the football. Yes of course, this is going to be a tough test. With no Raul or Rodrigo, will Fulham stick with the five at the back system, playing Josh King as a false nine in front of Alex Iwobi and Harry Wilson? Perhaps.

But Fulham will need to compete at the top end. Josh King competing up against William Saliba and Gabriel may not work in our favour, but there are other ways to adapt.

Will we see Jonah Kusi-Asare? You’d imagine he would feature on the bench.

Some more quotes will come from Silva tonight from 22:30, which can be read on my Patreon and X account. I was lucky enough to get eight or so minutes with him one-on-one. Some more great insight from the gaffer.

Shall we go to 1985? Back to the Future. Or, sorry, back to HIS future?

A couple of interesting lines from Silva on his future. Of course, his contract runs out at the end of the season. But the Khans are in town, and this was the most revealing thing he’s said all season regarding his future at the club.

“I’ve been here for five years, why not more?”

Shahid Khan stated on talkSPORT that Silva is part of the Khan’s long-term plans. They’re in town, as I said. I may be putting two and two together and getting five, but one can dream. What’s the point of being alive… etc.

Silva also said this: “It’s not something that is going to disrupt our season at all. If I have to, I’m going to speak with you every single week about it. Some news will come, the club will say to you, if not, we have to move on. The right time to speak, it will arrive.”

That, in my opinion, is a little more open in terms of an answer than the previous times he’s been asked. And he will be asked again, and again, I’m sure. Because that is football.

Enjoyed being back on the beat. Let’s hope that Fulham can upset the apple cart tomorrow evening and knock Arsenal off the top of the table.

“You lost the league to Bobby Reid.” was a chant Fulham fans sung at the back end of the 2023/24 season, especially after Luton away where we passed some despondent Arsenal fans at Kings Cross St. Pancras Station.

What will it be this year?

“You lost the league to Tom Cairney”?

One can dream.

What’s the point of…yeah yeah yeah - you get the picture.

Come on Fulham!