Arbeloa frustrated after Fulham cup defeat
Alvaro Arbeloa described Fulham's Carabao Cup defeat against Crystal Palace as a "frustrating night for everyone".
Eddie Nketiah's first-half goal was enough to secure Palace's place in the quarter-final.
It was a night when Fulham had a large percentage of possession, but were thwarted by an impressive Dean Henderson in goal.
"They take their chance and I think we can do better even if we have the possession," said Whites boss Arbeloa.
"We have to move the ball quicker against a very low block team, and we need to make more runs and do it better in the last pass.
"I think we need to create more chances in the wide areas. We need to be more patient.
"You need to be clever, to be patient and to understand that you have to do very well with the ball and you need to be aware of the transition. Because at the end I think we won the last two games because we didn't concede chances, we didn't concede goals.
"For me, this is what we have to do. It's a really frustrating night for everyone; for me as a manager, because I know how important this game is for the club, for the supporters.
"The most important thing for tonight is that we need to learn as quickly as we can."
Emile Smith Rowe was missing from the squad for the third game in a row. Arbeloa says the former Arsenal man needs to continue to work hard.
The Spaniard said: "He had some issues two weeks ago. And since then it's not easy for anyone to be in the squad because every week five players are out of the squad.
"So he needs to continue working as he's doing and fight for a position on a matchday. That's the problem when you have a really big squad like I have."
https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/football-wls-arbeloa-admits-frustration-and-explains-smith-rowe-omission
Fulham 0-1 Crystal Palace: Alvaro Arbeloa explains Emile Smith Rowe absence after EFL Cup exit
Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa has explained that a selection decision was the reason behind Emile Smith Rowe's absence from Wednesday's EFL Cup defeat to Crystal Palace.
After claiming back-to-back Premier League wins, Fulham went into the fourth-round tie with hopes of reaching the quarter-finals for the third time in four seasons.
However, the Cottagers fell to a 1-0 loss against the Eagles, with Eddie Nketiah's first-half effort proving the difference between the two sides.
The defeat is made more frustrating by the fact Fulham enjoyed 74% possession and registered 14 shots compared to Palace's four.
Smith Rowe was not among those tried and failed to break Palace's resistance after being omitted from the matchday squad.
Arbeloa explains Smith Rowe absence
The 26-year-old had started the previous two EFL Cup games, so there was a belief he would play a role despite sitting out the last two Premier League matches.
Speaking after the match, Arbeloa revealed Smith Rowe's absence was purely a selection decision rather than down to injury.
"He had some issues two weeks ago," Arbeloa said as per journalist Jack Kelly.
"And since then it's not easy for anyone to be in the squad because every week five players are out of the squad. It's not easy for me to pick 11 players and then pick 20 players (including subs).
"So he needs to continue working as he's doing and fight for a position on a match day. That's the problem when you have a really big squad like I have."
Smith Rowe's omission raises questions over Fulham future
Smith Rowe featured in 37 of Fulham's 38 Premier League games under Marco Silva last term, including 22 starts in the top flight.
However, he is yet to make a Premier League start this season, having fallen down the pecking order under Arbeloa.
If his game time fails to improve over the next two matches, Smith Rowe may look to find a new club when the transfer window opens in January, despite being under contract with Fulham until at least 2029.
https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/news/arbeloa-explains-smith-rowe-absence-after-fulham-bow-out-of-efl-cup_607905.html
Fulham's disappointing start is concealing one of the most underappreciated players in the Premier League
Alvaro Arbeloa's only wins in the Premier League have been over newly promoted opposition
The trouble with the streets is they don't know what they're talking about.
The streets are a poor judge. The streets forget better players than they remember. Football needs entertainers but there's a difference between a show pony and a true star. The real ones don't need apologetic social media validation because their impact speaks for itself.
The streets remember players because nobody would remember them if they didn't. The streets will forget Alex Iwobi because the streets are coated with the cast-off chewing gum of fools.
Alex Iwobi isn't flash but stability is a superpower
In a season of change at Fulham, Iwobi's re-emergence could prove an important development. The Cottagers were a steady proposition for almost five years under the leadership of manager Marco Silva, an eternity in the modern game, and are navigating the aftermath of his departure to Benfica.
Replacing Silva with Alvaro Arbeloa was a gamble. Even if it plays out in Fulham's favour the early days were bound to be rocky, but after two draws and four defeats in the Premier League, there it was: Iwobi scored the only goal in a 1-0 Fulham win, their first of 2026/27.
Consecutive 1-0 wins over promoted opponents do not a smoother path make, but it's better to beat Hull City and then Coventry City than not. Iwobi was at the heart of those victories, leading by example as he has since he joined Fulham from Everton three years ago.
Fulham's slow start is masking Iwobi's consistent ability to show his teammates how it's done. In terms of an understated positive influence on his team, the 30-year-old is one of the most overlooked players in the Premier League.
He was a big part of the reliable outfit Silva's Fulham became and the same traits are starting to emerge on Arbeloa's watch too.
Iwobi is a player of experience and assuredness, and his value is best understood over months and seasons than match by match.
He's not a highlights player, nor social media fodder, nor the kind of unsung conductor who eventually gets his recognition. He exists somewhere in between.
Iwobi leads Fulham by example year after year
The Nigerian international is averaging more key passes per match in the Premier League than any other Fulham player so far this season. Only Oscar Bobb is creating more chances per 90 minutes than Iwobi, and the difference is wafer-thin at most.
Iwobi leads his team for both crosses (with the second-highest success rate) and through balls and has the same expected assists (xA) value per 90 minutes as Manchester City's Rayan Cherki. Only Phil Foden is above them.
He has Fulham's highest number of successful passes in the attacking third and sits 12th in the Premier League. He's one of a handful of Fulham players with a pass success rate above 90 per cent.
Shea Charles can outrank him on a few measures. Josh King can outrank him here and there. Bobb, too. But Iwobi's immutable superpower is that he shows up at or near the top of ranking after ranking after ranking, and he does it every year.
In May, when Iwobi returned from a hamstring injury that had kept him out for a month and was therefore the longest absence he's ever had as a Fulham player, his manager explained his importance.
"He's a big player for us, definitely," said Silva in one of his final press conferences as the Fulham boss. "He's a player who's very versatile, who can play in many different positions. He's also a player that can add extra quality in the decision making.
"In all aspects of the game he's a key player for us and he's shown it again this season."
Silva's appointment as Jose Mourinho's successor at the Estadio da Luz was already in the post by the time those words of praise tumbled from his lips in West London. Football can sometimes be guilty of underestimating the tumult such a change can create when a manager has been in place for such a long time.
Fulham need Iwobi's stable input this season more than they have at any other time since he followed Silva to Craven Cottage.
Arbeloa needs him to lead the way along with the likes of Harrison Reed, Kenny Tete, Sander Berge, Timothy Castagne, Antonee Robinson and captain Tom Cairney to set the example for Bobb, King, Charles, Kevin and the manager's trio of young Spanish prospects to follow this season and in the seasons to come.
https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/player/fulhams-disappointing-start-is-concealing-one-of-the-most-underappreciated-players-in-the-premier-league
Aston Villa injury, suspension news and return dates for Fulham clash: Ruggeri, Wan Bissaka, Onana latest
Aston Villa return to Premier League action on Saturday evening when they welcome Fulham to Villa Park.
Unai Emery's men are bidding to win their third top-flight game in a row, but they enter this fixture on the back of a 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth in the EFL Cup fourth round on Wednesday.
A rotated team was selected on the South Coast and Emery is expected to revert to a strong side this weekend, though he is still dealing with a few injury absentees.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up Aston Villa's latest injury and suspension news ahead of the fixture with Alvaro Arbeloa's side.
Amadou Onana
Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown
Amadou Onana ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament while representing Belgium at the 2026 World Cup, and the midfielder now faces a lengthy period on the sidelines.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Status: Out
Type of injury: Hamstring
Possible return date: November 16 (vs. Sunderland)
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has missed the last three matches in all competitions with a hamstring injury. Emery recently revealed that the full-back is facing three to four weeks on the sidelines.
Matteo Ruggeri
Status: Out
Type of injury: Thigh
Possible return date: Unknown
Defender Matteo Ruggeri is facing 'more than one month' on the sidelines after sustaining a thigh injury.
ASTON VILLA'S SUSPENSION LIST
Aston Villa have no suspended players for this match.
https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/aston-villa/injury-news/injuries-and-suspensions/ruggeri-wan-bissaka-onana-latest-aston-villa-injury-list-for-fulham-clash_607924.html
Kike Salas: Fulham to make offer for Sevilla player
Fulham are planning to take action to sign Sevilla's Kike Salas, after sending their officials to Spain to take a closer look at him earlier this season.
The Premier League side appointed Álvaro Arbeloa as their manager in the summer. He arrived in London after a short spell as Real Madrid head coach.
Fulham made seven signings in the summer, of which Gonzalo García, César Palacios, Manuel Ángel and David Affengruber arrived from Spain.
The London club want to return to La Liga to further strengthen their squad, likely in the winter market.
Fulham already scouted Salas
On September 10th, Sport Witness covered a report from Spain explaining that Fulham scouted the defender. Arsenal also had their scout to monitor his club teammate, Lucien Agoumé.
The Premier League side endured a difficult start to the season, failing to win their first six league matches. They secured a narrow 1-0 win over both Hull City and Coventry City in the last two Premier League fixtures. This has seen them climb to 15th place.
Vamos Mi Sevilla FC states Álvaro Arbeloa has requested a 'strong, left-footed player with leadership qualities to solve the defensive problems that plagued the team at the start of the league season'.
The English club are willing to fulfil his request by signing a centre-back and this is where Kike Salas comes into the picture.
Fulham's plan to sign Spaniard
The report's title says Álvaro Arbeloa's side will 'tempt with a multi-million' offer. Within the report, there's no mention of the fee they are willing to propose.
Kike Salas graduated from Sevilla's youth system and made his first team debut in 2022. He had a loan spell with Tenerife in 2023. The Spaniard made 107 appearances for the La Liga side and eight are from this season.
He has a contract until 2029, and Transfermarkt value him at €14m. The outlet adds Salas has a €50m release clause while Sevilla value him at €30m for January, which should be affordable for Fulham.
Although the London club will tempt him, the operation won't be easy because the player has no desire to leave. This would make it complicated for Fulham to sign him in the winter market.
Sevilla would have to make a decision if Fulham table a tempting offer for the central defender.
https://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-will-tempt-with-multi-million-offer-for-signing-player-identified-to-solve-problems-bothering-pl-side/
Aston Villa predicted line-up vs Fulham: nine changes made amid Emery's big Goretzka decision
The latest Aston Villa team news, injury list and predicted XI ahead of their Premier League clash with Fulham
Aston Villa's fine run of form came to a grinding halt in midweek, as Unai Emery's heavily rotated side were soundly beaten 3-0 by Brentford in the Carabao Cup. The result saw the Villans miss out on the opportunity to make the quarter-finals of the competition, and ended their seven-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
Next up, Villa will look to bounce back in the Premier League, when they take on Fulham at Villa Park in the Saturday evening late kick-off. As things stand, the West Midlands side are ninth in the Premier League table with eleven points, but are just four points off the top four with the division densely packed as we approach the end of the season's first quarter.
As Saturday night's clash approaches, Villa have relatively few injury concerns to trouble them. Aaron Wan-Bissaka looks set to be out until the tail-end of November, as he continues his recovery from a thigh injury. Fellow full-back Matteo Ruggeri is also out with a thigh injury, potentially until early December, while Amadou Onana will miss most of the season with a serious knee injury. Other than that, it's a clean bill of health for Villa.
As Emery prepares his charges for their latest top tier fixture, this is the most like Aston Villa starting XI he will pick to take on Fulham - a side who haven't managed to win at Villa Park since their Championship play-offs second leg clash back in 2018.
Aston Villa predicted XI vs Fuham: goalkeeper and defence
As tends to be the norm with Premier League sides these days, Villa opted to field their 'cup goalkeeper' - Marco Bizot - for their midweek Carabao Cup exploits. Saturday night will see the return of Zion Suzuki between the sticks, as he continues his highly encouraging start at Villa. He joined for £30m last summer, as his predecessor Emi Martinez went to Chelsea to replace the struggling Robert Sanchez.
At right-back, Lamine Bogarde is set to make way for Matty Cash, who put in a highly impressive display in last weekend's big 2-1 win over Manchester City. There's set to be changes from midweek in the central defence area too, with Pau Torres poised to come in to replace the veteran Tyrone Mings on the left side of a defensive partnership.
Torres will likely be paired with Victor Lindelof, who has recovered impressively from a sluggish start to the season to find a much improved run in form. The Sweden international has proved to be a worthwhile acquisition as a free agent who joined back in 2025, gaining regular minutes across all competitions for Emery's side.
On the left flank, Ian Maatsen played the full ninety minutes against Fulham in midweek, but with Wan-Bissaka and Rugieri both out, he's likely to start again when the Cottagers come to town. Maatsen's return to the side has been welcome, after he was sidelined for over a month after suffering an ankle injury back in September.
Aston Villa predicted XI vs Fuham: midfield and attack
Moving into the heart of midfield, Boubacar Kamara will return to the side after remaining on the bench for the midweek trip to west London. The 26-year-old could be paired with summer signing Leon Goretzka, after Joao Gomes played back-to-back full matches for Emery between the City and Brentford games.
Young Brazilian talent Alysson looks set to return to the right side of an attacking midfield three, with club captain John McGinn switched over to the left flank. Between them, Swiss sensation Johan Manzambi will look to continue the blistering start to his Villa career, and replicate the form that's seen him score three goals in his last five Premier League appearances.
Another summer signing to hit the ground running is £48m star striker Nicolas Jackson, who has come out all guns blazing for his new club, netting seven goals in ten matches for Villa. He'll lead the line against Fulham on Saturday, with Brian Madjo and Tammy Abraham likely to be seated on the bench at kick-off.
Aston Villa predicted XI vs Fulham: Suzuki; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen; Goretzka, Kamara; Alysson, Manzambi, McGinn; Jackson.
https://www.3addedminutes.com/sport/football/aston-villa/aston-villa-predicted-xi-fulham-nine-changes-goretzka-9317631
Why is there only one Premier League match on Sunday?
Unlike many Premier League weekends this season, there will be no 14:00 GMT kick-off this Sunday.
The time slot is one of the most frequently used in a typical Premier League weekend programme.
There is usually at least one match at 14:00 each Sunday - and this season there have at times been more, which is a knock-on effect of four Premier League clubs competing in the Europa League and Conference League on a Thursday evening. Teams usually want at least two clear days between games.
Last weekend, four matches were played early on Sunday, and only two fixtures kicked off in the traditional Saturday 15:00 slot.
In contrast, this weekend will feature five games at 15:00 on Saturday, and only one on Sunday - Liverpool taking on Arsenal at 16:30.
There will also be kick-offs at 12:30, 17:30 and 20:00 on Saturday, and finally at 20:00 on Monday.
The absence of an early Sunday game is because of Aston Villa's involvement in this season's Champions League.
Villa's meeting with Fulham at Villa Park was the designated 14:00 match for Sunday afternoon.
But because Unai Emery's Villa side have a Champions League match at Barcelona two days later - on Tuesday, 3 November - the Fulham game has been brought forward to 20:00 on Saturday.
As Sky Sports was due to show the match in its initial slot, the broadcaster will also show the rearranged game.
What are this weekend's Premier League fixtures?
Saturday, 31 October
Chelsea v Manchester United (12:30)
Bournemouth v Leeds United (15:00)
Brentford v Nottingham Forest (15:00)
Coventry City v Sunderland (15:00)
Hull City v Ipswich (15:00)
Manchester City v Brighton & Hove Albion (15:00)
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace (17:30)
Aston Villa v Fulham (20:00)
Sunday, 1 November
Liverpool v Arsenal (16:30)
Monday, 2 November
Newcastle United v Everton (20:00)
All times in GMT
This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cwx2836e1mp7o
Aston Villa predicted XI vs Fulham: Unai Emery axes Emi Buendia in total overhaul
Aston Villa look to get back to winning ways against Fulham in the Premier League this Saturday.
Unai Emery's side had been enjoying a run of four-straight wins in all competitions prior to Wednesday night's Carabao Cup tie at Bournemouth.
However, the Cherries swept the Villains aside in a convincing 3-0 win, snapping Villa's seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
As such, Saturday's game against Fulham will be a good test of character within this group.
Alvaro Arbeloa is under pressure as Cottagers boss, with the Londoners sitting 15th in the Premier League table with two wins from eight.
So, ahead of Saturday's 8pm kick-off in B6, Villa News predicts how Emery may line his team up at Villa Park.
Unai Emery may name one defensive survivor from Bournemouth XI
Emery fielded a heavily rotated starting lineup at the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday night, so a host of changes are expected this weekend.
Beginning in goal, Marco Bizot was poor in his rare starting opportunity, committing an error leading to a goal, preventing -0.44 goals and making three defensive contributions, per FotMob.
Zion Suzuki will surely come back into the lineup between the sticks, whilst Lamare Bogarde had a rough night at right-back and could make way for Matty Cash.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis was the best of Villa's defensive bunch against the Cherries, but he still have not done enough to stop Pau Torres from taking his spot.
Tyrone Mings won none of his two ground duels and didn't win a single tackle against Bournemouth, and Victor Lindelof may come in for him.
Ian Maatsen didn't have a great game either on Wednesday, with two inaccurate crosses and just four of 10 ground duels won.
However, due to Matteo Ruggeri's ongoing injury situation, the Dutchman may well reprise his starting role due to a lack of alternatives.
So, who else may drop out of the Villa side further up the pitch on Saturday?
Emery could rejig attackers role against Fulham
Moving into central midfield, Joao Gomes' 96 per cent pass success rate, three chances created and two successful dribbles may keep him in the side.
Leon Goretzka held his own as he builds his fitness levels up too, but Boubacar Kamara has been excellent this term and could take his spot.
On the right, Johan Manzambi could make his return to the lineup in place of Ibrahim Mbaye, who created zero chances or delivered any accurate crosses in midweek.
Over on the left, George Hemmings might be swapped out for Alysson after the 19-year-old was pretty wasteful in attack on the south coast.
Emi Buendia, who has started seven league games this season, was too, with none of his four shots on target as well as being dispossessed twice and winning two of six ground duels.
That could open the door for John McGinn to move into a central attacking midfield role behind Nicolas Jackson, who could replace Brian Madjo up top.
Aston Villa predicted XI vs Fulham: Suzuki; Cash, Torres, Lindelof, Maatsen; Gomes, Kamara; Manzambi, McGinn, Alysson; Jackson
https://www.astonvillanews.co.uk/match/aston-villa-predicted-xi-vs-fulham-unai-emery-axes-emi-buendia-in-total-overhaul
Fulham line up January move for Kike Salas
Fulham will look to sign 24-year-old Spanish centre-back Kike Salas from La Liga club Sevilla in the January transfer window.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Vamos Mi Sevilla FC, Kike Salas is the subject of interest from Fulham. The Cottagers are eager to bolster their defensive unit by signing a centre-back in the winter transfer window, and they have set their sights on the 24-year-old Sevilla defender.
Per Vamos Mi Sevilla FC, Alvaro Arbeloa is the driving force behind Fulham's move for Salas, with the former Real Madrid manager pushing to secure his services in the coming weeks. However, Sevilla will demand at least €30 million to part ways with the Spaniard, whose release clause is worth €50 million.
Kike Salas and his career so far
Kike Salas has established himself as one of the best young defenders in La Liga since breaking into Sevilla's first-team squad. The 24-year-old has been with Los Nervionenses since 2013, and he subsequently rose through the ranks at the Andalusian club before breaking into the first-team squad in September 2022.
However, Salas had to bide his time before becoming a regular for Sevilla, and he enjoyed his breakthrough in the 2024/25 season. The Spanish defender has made over 100 appearances for the club thus far while chipping in with ten goals and three assists. Now a mainstay at the back, he has accumulated over 500 minutes of game time across eight outings this term.
What next?
Kike Salas's progress has piqued the attention of several Premier League clubs, with recent reports linking him with Arsenal. Fulham's interest in the Sevilla defender is understandable, as Jorge Cuenca has struggled to establish himself as a regular, while Calvin Bassey faces an uncertain future at Craven Cottage amid his links with Inter Milan.
While Fulham would prefer to keep the Nigerian defender, the uncertainties surrounding him have compelled them to seek a replacement from the market. Salas, as a left-footed defender, could be a like-for-like alternative, and his 1.88m frame and imposing physicality could allow him to become a natural fit in the Premier League.
Sevilla's asking price of €30 million is not excessive, considering the Spanish defender's age profile and consistency. With Alvaro Arbeloa well-versed with the player's qualities from his time coaching in Spain, the Fulham manager would be well-placed to develop him further. However, whether Fulham will meet Sevilla's €30 million asking price remains uncertain.
https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2026/10/29/fulham-line-up-january-move-for-kike-salas/