Fulham manager Arbeloa under pressure after poor start

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 12:02 · Archive

Fulham sit bottom of the Premier League with two points from six games under new manager Álvaro Arbeloa.

Fulham sit bottom of the Premier League with two points from their opening six league games under new Spanish manager Álvaro Arbeloa. The club have drawn two and lost four, leaving them searching for their first league win of the season as they prepare to face Hull City at home on Saturday.

Arbeloa joined Fulham in the summer on a three-year deal to replace Marco Silva. The 43-year-old has come under increasing scrutiny following recent results. Fulham were leading 1-0 against Ipswich last weekend through Ryan Sessegnon's second-half strike but conceded two late goals to lose 2-1. Before the international break, they also failed to hold a lead against Manchester United when a deflected goal denied them victory.

The Guardian reports that questions have been raised about Arbeloa's tactical decisions. Against Ipswich, he replaced midfielder Shea Charles with Manuel Ángel in the 70th minute whilst defending a lead, and switched from a 4-2-3-1 system to a 4-4-2. Charles, who has impressed since joining from Southampton, is physically imposing at 5ft 9in, whilst 22-year-old Ángel is 5ft 7in and was making his Premier League debut.

Arbeloa has dismissed questions about his future, saying the focus should be on the club and players rather than himself. He stated it had 'been a normal week' for him and that the players 'deserve it because of their support' from the supporters.

How it is being reported

• 'Not about me' - Arbeloa dismisses future questionsFulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa says the focus should not be on him as his side searches for a first Premier League win this season against Hull City this weekend.BBC News · 16 Oct, 11:24
• Álvaro Arbeloa’s push to make Fulham free-flowing is floundering alreadySpanish head coach will be under huge pressure if he comes unstuck again at home to Hull on Saturday Fulham fans fretting about life under Álvaro Arbeloa will not feel any better when they remember how things were under Marco Silva, who was one of the most effective managers in the Premier League when it came to making substitutions. Silva’s substitutes were involved in the fourth-highest goal contributions last season and the most in the 2024-25 season. Fulham knew how to dig in and salvage unlikely points. But Silva left last summer, joining Benfica after concluding he could achieve…The Guardian · 16 Oct, 11:00

In this story: Álvaro Arbeloa · Fulham · Hull City · Ipswich Town · Craven Cottage

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