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Chelsea	3-0	Luton

Fulham approach Atalanta forward Duvan Zapata after his loan move to Roma collapses - while exploring a move for AZ Alkmaar defender Yukinari Sugawara

    Fulham are keen to sign another striker after Aleksandar Mitrovic's departure 
    The Cottagers have signed Adama Traore, Raul Jimenez and Calvin Bassey so far

Fulham have checked on Atalanta forward Duvan Zapata who saw a loan to Roma fall through this week.

Marco Silva's side are still in the market for a new striker despite signing former Wolves star Raul Jimenez this summer, following Aleksandar Mitrovic's £46million move to Saudi giants Al-Hilal.

Zapata, who like Mitrovic is a traditional target forward, was on the brink of signing for Roma on loan this summer, but the Colombian reportedly expressed doubts and the deal has fallen through at the 11th hour.

Although reports in Italy suggest Zapata is leaning towards staying at Atalanta, Fulham have approached the striker to see if he's keen on a move to west London.

Meanwhile, the Cottagers are also exploring a move for AZ Alkmaar defender Yukinari Sugawara.

(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/25/01/74705139-12443607-image-a-28_1692922396630.jpg)
Fulham have checked on Atalanta forward Duvan Zapata, who saw a loan to Roma fall through

(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/25/01/74705195-12443607-image-a-29_1692922422767.jpg)
The west London club are also exploring a move for AZ Alkmaar defender Yukinari Sugawara

The Japanese star is being viewed as an option to replace Kenny Tete, who may leave the club amid interest from Bayern Munich.

Fulham have also lured ex-Wolves and Barcelona star Adama Traore to Craven Cottage alongside former Ajax centre-back Calvin Bassey.

Silva's side, who began their campaign with a 1-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park, suffered a dismal 3-0 home defeat against Brentford last weekend.

The Cottagers will hope to bounce back with a result against title challengers Arsenal on Saturday.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12443607/Fulham-Atalanta-forward-Duvan-Zapata.html

Dream Arsenal line-up vs Fulham as Gabriel Jesus returns early and Trossard finally starts
Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus feature in football.london's dream Arsenal line-up for their Premier League clash with Fulham.

Arsenal have made it to the third Premier League matchday with a 100% record after recording wins over Nottingham Forest at home and Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

There were scares in both matches after a late Forest goal on the opening day and Takehiro Tomiyasu's red card despite a slender 1-0 lead at Palace yet the Gunners came through.

With the visit of Fulham, ideally, the Gunners need to start building up their goal difference. Fulham were well beaten at home by Brentford last week, and have lost Tim Ream to suspension after a controversial red card call.

Whilst forced changes are on the cards for the visitors, rotation should be on the mind of Mikel Arteta with such a squad he has at his disposal. Not only that, but his options have just got even more varied with the return of Gabriel Jesus.

The Brazilian returned to training this week and could be in contention. This is a dream line-up scenario so in the event that his recovery is so swift he's deemed ready to come back, it'd be great to see him involved. But his recovery should certainly be prioritised, and if he is not 100% then Eddie Nketiah has proven more than capable of stepping in so far.

Alongside the striker will be Bukayo Saka, but it is on the left flank where there is scope for change. Leandro Trossard was an unused substitute against Palace. Therefore, he could come into the game with Fulham completely fresh and motivated to win a starting spot in the side ahead of the visit of Manchester United.

The side otherwise remains unchanged, which means Thomas Partey and Kai Havertz keep their places. Havertz's performance earlier this week went under the radar but his contribution was integral to the victory.

Partey, meanwhile, is playing a new hybrid position on the right but it has allowed the Gunners dominance in possession. This will be important this weekend but an increase in chance creation should be the challenge.

Dream Arsenal XI vs Fulham: Ramsdale; Partey, White, Saliba, Zinchenko; Rice, Havertz, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Trossard.



https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/fixtures-results/arsenal-fulham-gabriel-jesus-trossard-27587722

Arsenal Welcome Fulham: What to Expect at the Emirates
A Closer Look at the Arsenal vs Fulham Premier League Clash

The Emirates Stadium is buzzing with anticipation as Arsenal get set to host Fulham. Given the current form of both teams, the fixture promises much drama. But what exactly can we expect?

Arsenal's Start to the Premier League Season
It's been a somewhat encouraging beginning for Arsenal in the Premier League. Notching up a few victories gives hope to the Gunners' faithful, though their recent outing against Crystal Palace wasn't without its complications.

Thankfully for Mikel Arteta, he is coming up against a Fulham team that has suffered a pretty rough summer and put in a poor display last weekend against Brentford, losing 3-0. They did not play well on the opening day against Everton but still managed to win 1-0.

With the exit of Aleksandar Mitrovic to Al Hilal, although adding a financial cushion, Fulham seems to have a significant void up front. A trip to the Emirates isn't something they might be eagerly waiting for, given the circumstances.

Key Details: Arsenal vs Fulham

    Venue: Emirates Stadium, London, England
    Date: Saturday 26 August
    Kick-off: 15:00 BST / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT
    Official In-Charge: Referee Paul Tierney, VAR Darren England
    Recent Face-offs: Arsenal seems to have a favourable edge in the last five games with 4 victories to their name, while Fulham has yet to register a win. Their last rendezvous saw Arsenal secure a convincing 3-0 triumph.

How To Watch
For those unable to attend, catching the match live isn't a challenge:

    United Kingdom: No UK TV Coverage
    United States: Multiple options including nbcsports.com, USA Network, NBC Sports App, and more.
    Canada: Available on fuboTV Canada

Glimpse at the Squads
Arsenal Team News
It's not all rosy for Arteta. Key players are set to miss the Fulham showdown. Takehiro Tomiyasu, having served as a replacement for the injured Jurrien Timber, faces suspension. Likewise, Folarin Balogun and Albert Sambi Lokonga won't feature due to injuries. On the brighter side, fans will eagerly await Oleksandr Zinchenko, who's tipped to bolster the left flank.

Expected Arsenal Lineup (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli

Fulham Team News
Defensive woes plague Marco Silva's side. The suspension of Tim Ream throws a wrench in their plans, hinting at Calvin Bassey pairing up with Issa Diop. However, not everything is grim. Joao Palhinha's return and Adama Traore's potential full debut bring a sense of optimism. Moreover, the presence of ex-Arsenal duo, Bernd Leno and William, adds a layer of intrigue.

Projected Fulham Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha; Traore, Pereira, Decordova-Reid; Jimenez

Arsenal vs Fulham: The Outcome?
Arsenal, despite grappling with injuries, is armed with a formidable roster. The consensus suggests they're poised for a comfortable afternoon against Fulham. The Cottagers, on the other hand, might be bracing for a demanding season ahead. Immediate reinforcements seem essential if they wish to enhance their campaign.

Our Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Fulham



https://eplindex.com/95185/arsenal-welcome-fulham-what-to-expect-at-the-emirates.html#google_vignette

Silva voices frustration over Fulham's recruitment
Fulham head coach Marco Silva shared his frustration over Fulham's slow progress in the transfer window and ended reports of any interest in Juventus forward Moise Kean during his press conference this afternoon.

The Whites are in dire need of strikers after selling Aleksandar Mitrovic to Al-Hilal for around £46m last weekend – and Silva reiterated his concerns about a lack of summer recruitment to supplement the squad that finished tenth in the Premier League last weekend. He said:

"I think everyone understands that it should have been our priority last month or a month and a half ago, so what it is now? Seven players left our football club at the end of the season. We sold another player in Mitrovic. When you lose seven players, and another one, and we just signed three players. It's clear for everyone how many players we need and that we are really light. We have lots of positions to cover. It is not just the striking position, we need many things and this is not the normal thing to do in the last eight days of the market."

Silva denied that he was interested in a reunion with Kean, who he managed during his time at Everton.

"Moise Kean is not the solution for us. I don't like to speak about players that are not our players. He is a Juventus player but I can confirm he is not the player we are looking for. If we are going to sign a striker, it has to be the right one. It has to be someone to come to have an impact in our squad. I don't want to sign players just 'to sign."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/08/silva-voices-frustration-over-fulhams-recruitment/

Leicester City star's transfer preference emerges, but PL option remains 'most concrete'
Leicester City full-back Timothy Castagne is leaning towards a move to Juventus but with their interest yet to materialise, Fulham remains the most concrete option, according to Sacha Tavolieri.

Leicester City have seen a whole host of influential players move on this summer but while transfer speculation has circulated, Belgium international Castagne is still on the books at the King Power Stadium.

Fulham have been heavily linked for much of the window, as have Serie A giants Juventus.

Now, a fresh update has emerged on Castagne's situation with just a week left in the transfer window.

Belgian reporter Tavolieri has shared on Twitter that while the Leicester City man is leaning towards a move to the Turin giants, their interest isn't materialising as they struggle to meet the Foxes demands. As it stands, strong admirers Fulham remain 'the most concrete option' for the 27-year-old.

Castagne joined Leicester City in the summer of 2020. Since then he has played 112 times for the club, chipping in with five goals and eight assists in the process.

A late move?
It feels like Castagne is playing a waiting game this summer. A player of his calibre with his club and country pedigree could likely seal a move away from a relegated team quite swiftly but it hasn't panned out like that at all.

The Belgian remains on the books with the Foxes despite the persistent speculation as he seemingly holds out for a move to Juventus. If they end up moving onto another target or deciding against a move for Castagne, Fulham will hopefully still be there as an option for Castagne.

The Cottagers are keen for further defensive recruits after a shaky start to the season in defence and Castagne would make for a solid signing. Time will tell just how his situation pans out though as he leans towards a Turin move.



https://the72.co.uk/2023/08/25/leicester-city-stars-transfer-preference-emerges-but-pl-option-remains-most-concrete/

Fulham 'evaluating' to tabling offer after making contact – Striker has scored 27 goals in 2023
Having sold Aleksandar Mitrović to Al-Hilal, Fulham are looking to sign a new striker in the last week of the window.

On Thursday, Marco Silva ruled out a move for Juventus' Moise Kean, and the Premier League side seem to have shifted their focus to Flamengo star Pedro.

That's according to iG Esporte, who state Fulham have contacted the Brazilian club to ask about the 26-year-old.

It's further claimed the London club are 'evaluating' the possibility of formalising an offer to sign the frontman. The two clubs haven't yet talked about the figures needed to carry out the operation.

The website states the Brazil international's representatives will hold talks with Flamengo soon to discuss his situation. The frontman has managed 27 goals and four assists from 41 games this year.

Pedro isn't favoured by manager Jorge Sampaoli and this has clearly not pleased him.

The player is considering leaving his current employer and has received interest from Fulham, Zenit Saint Petersburg and other clubs. Despite this, Flamengo aren't rushing to sanction his sale this summer.

Pedro's contract runs down in December 2027 and iG Esporte state it includes a €60m release clause.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-evaluating-table-offer-signing-making-contact-striker-scored-27-goals-2023/

Birmingham City: Jay Stansfield joins from Fulham on season's loan


Birmingham City have made their ninth summer transfer window signing by bringing in striker Jay Stansfield on loan from Premier League side Fulham.

Blues say they have beaten off "more than a dozen" clubs to persuade 20-year-old Devon-born Stansfield to move to St Andrew's for a season-long stay.

Stansfield has played eight times for Fulham since signing in January 2020.

That includes his first senior goal, which came at St Andrew's in an EFL Cup tie against Blues in August 2021.

He was loaned back out to his late father Adam Stansfield's old side Exeter City last season, capping his time at his boyhood club with a final-day hat-trick to relegate Morecambe from League One.

"I have been in contact with a lot of people in the last three or four weeks and I made the decision to come here," said Stansfield.

"It has been a long time coming. It is a family club and I can't wait to get started. I am buzzing."

Blues are under American ownership following Tom Wagner's summer takeover, which now also includes investment from global sporting legend Tom Brady.

The signings of Leeds United striker Tyler Roberts, Royal Antwerp winger Koji Miyoshi, Derby County midfielder Krystian Bielik, Manchester United defender Ethan Laird, Bournemouth winger Siriki Dembele, Wolves defender Dion Sanderson, Blackpool forward Keshi Anderson and Werder Bremen defender Lee Buchanan have helped John Eustace's side make an unbeaten start to the campaign.

Blues have picked up seven points from a possible nine and are through to the second round of the EFL Cup, in which they host Cardiff City on Tuesday.

But first they face Plymouth Argyle at St Andrew's on Saturday.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66615020

Fulham prepare second Pedro bid amid Duvan Zapata interest as Marco Silva targets three signings

Fulham made approaches for Flamengo striker Pedro and Atalanta forward Duvan Zapata in their bid to replace Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Flamengo have turned down Fulham's initial £21million offer for Pedro but are braced for further bids.

The 26-year-old wants to move to the Premier League but Fulham face competition from Benfica and Zenit St Petersburg.

Fulham manager Marco Silva is also looking at Zapata as a potential Mitrovic replacement after the Cottagers sold the Serb to Saudi side Al-Hilal for £46m.

Atalanta want to keep Zapata despite signing Gianluca Scamacca from West Ham.

Fulham have also sounded out Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun, who is now expected to join Monaco, while Silva has denied interest in Juventus striker Moise Kean.

Silva wants three strikers in his squad, with Raul Jimenez set to start away at Arsenal tomorrow and Carlos Vinicius likely to deputise from the bench.

Fulham are also chasing two full-backs, with Leicester City's Timothy Castagne their primary target.

AC Milan's Fode Ballo-Toure, Union Berlin's Josip Juranovic, Southampton's Kyle Walker-Peters and Rennes's Arthur Theate are also being considered.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-fc-pedro-bid-zapata-transfer-news-b1102937.html

Before The Whistle: Arsenal v Fulham

OK, let's go again. No signings have been made, but at least wounds have been licked.

We follow up our heavy derby defeat with a trip to the Emirates – ideal. But stranger things have happened than a Marco Silva-led Fulham side getting a result against Arsenal.

Silva himself says Calvin Bassey will get his first start after Tim Ream's red card last week. He'll likely partner Issa Diop, who'll be looking to make amends after his clanger gifted the Bees their first goal of the afternoon on Saturday.

In the middle, Joao Palhinha's been training all week – and you'd not bet against him returning to the starting XI. Willian is a "slight doubt", so Bobby De Cordova-Reid will probably keep his starting berth.

With Mitro gone, it's between Vinicius and Jimenez to lead the line. The latter struggled against Brentford, so could the former come in to claim another Premier League scalp?

This game, and our subsequent trip to the Etihad, are ones we're not expected to get anything from. Let's upset the apple cart. You Whites.
ℹ️ MATCH DETAILS

Kick-Off: Saturday, 3.00PM
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Competition: Premier League
TV Channel (UK): None
🚦 LEAGUE FORM

Arsenal: ✅ ✅   
Fulham: ✅ ❌   

⚖️ MATCH PROBABILITY

Arsenal: 55%
Draw: 26%
Fulham: 19%
🥊 MOST RECENT MATCHES

Mar 23: Fulham 0-3 Arsenal
Aug 22: Arsenal 2-1 Fulham
Apr 21: Arsenal 1-1 Fulham
Sep 20: Arsenal 0-3 Fulham



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2023-08-25-before-the-whistle-arsenal-v-fulham/#google_vignette

Arsenal v Fulham

TEAM NEWS
Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus could make his first appearance appearance of the season after recovering from a knee injury.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is banned after his controversial sending-off last weekend.

Fulham captain Tim Ream is also suspended after his dismissal in the defeat by Brentford.

Willian is a doubt to face his former club with an Achilles problem, but Joao Palhinha could start after his comeback from injury as a substitute last week.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

    Fulham have never won an away match against Arsenal in any competition (D6, L25), including all 30 league fixtures. It's the most one team has faced another away from home without winning in English league history.
    The Cottagers are winless in their last 10 Premier League games against Arsenal (D2, L8) and have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their past 16 games against the Gunners.

Arsenal

    Arsenal have won both of their opening two Premier League matches for the fourth time in the past five seasons.
    They are unbeaten in each of their last 13 Premier League London derbies (W11, D2).
    The Emirates Stadium has seen 81 Premier League goals at an average of 4.05 per game since the start of last season, more than at any other venue.
    Brazilian defender Gabriel has scored in three of his four Premier League appearances against Fulham, including a late winner in this fixture last season.
    Leandro Trossard has registered 10 assists since his Arsenal debut in January, more than any other Premier League player in that time. Three of those came against Fulham in March.
    Bukayo Saka could set a new club record by playing in his 83rd consecutive Premier League match.
    Eddie Nketiah has scored 14 goals in his last 16 starts at Emirates Stadium in all competitions.

Fulham

    Fulham could win their opening two top-flight away games for the first time in what is their 29th season in the top tier.
    The Cottagers have won just once in their past 19 top-flight London derbies (D4, L14).
    Marco Silva's side took one point from a possible 30 in their 10 games against sides that finished in the top five last season, losing all five away matches by a single-goal margin.
    Raul Jimenez has not scored in any of his last 25 Premier League games.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66552613

Arsenal star explains why he's 'pleased' Mitrovic left Fulham
The upcoming London derby between Arsenal and Fulham at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday is all set to be a fierce encounter.

Defender Ben White opens up about his expectations for the match and shares insights about his development at Arsenal, his camaraderie with his teammates, and his hopes for the season.

    Ben White expects a challenging game against Fulham, relieved not to face Aleksandar Mitrovic.
    White praises Bukayo Saka and discusses his development since joining Arsenal.
    Arsenal's triumph over Manchester City in the Community Shield fuels hope for more silverware in the 2023/24 season.

Fulham's visit to the Emirates Stadium this weekend will mark back-to-back London derbies for Arsenal, following Monday's trip to Crystal Palace.

The game promises to be a challenging one, and defender Ben White is prepared for another battle for three points.

"We knew it was going to be a tough game [against Palace]. They're a very good side with a very good manager who knows what he's doing. Especially with 10 men, it's a hard place to go. I don't think you've seen the best of what we can do. We're looking to be better than last year," said White.

White expressed relief at not having to face Aleksandar Mitrovic, who recently transferred to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal. "I played against him in the Championship as well and that was always hard, so he's a very good striker and one that I'm quite pleased to see go!" he laughed.

At just 25, White has become one of the more experienced players in Arsenal's youthful squad. Described as a 'mentality monster' by teammate Rob Holding, he discussed his growth as a player and person since joining Arsenal. "I came as a boy after switching round loads of clubs, and I've grown as a person and a player," he said.

White also praised his teammate Bukayo Saka: "He's amazing," Ben said. "I've said before that he makes me look so much better than I am! He's doing it on a consistent basis which is so important. At his age, it's amazing."

Reflecting on the triumphant feeling of beating Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley, White voiced his hopes for more silverware in the 2023/24 season.

"If there's a trophy available then it's nice to get one as soon in the season as possible. We're hoping for more in the rest of the season. To win the Premier League is not just about beating City, it's everyone. They're an amazing side and have done it for so long but, on their day, anyone can beat anyone."

With White's optimism and the strength of the team, Arsenal is looking forward to a fruitful season.

The upcoming match against Fulham will be a test of their resolve and determination, and White's insights offer a glimpse into Arsenal's mindset ahead of this London derby.



https://dailycannon.com/2023/08/ben-white-anticipates-fulham-challenge-arsenal/

Tete Targets Arsenal


Fulham may have one of our tougher tasks of the season on Saturday, but that doesn't detract from Kenny Tete's desire to use the game as a means of getting back on track.

After winning on the opening day, the Whites suffered a setback with a – albeit controversial – defeat by Brentford last week.

Asked about the value of responding away to Arsenal, Tete replied: "I think it's really important.

"Unfortunately, we didn't have a good result [against Brentford] but we've had a good week and we're looking forward to playing on Saturday.

"I think [Arsenal] have had some great signings. They are stronger than last year, but we're looking forward to playing against them.

"While we've analysed our last game, we've also done our analysis on them. First of all, we have to focus on us, make sure we're in the right shape.

"It's a game of football so it can go both ways."

While Tete has always been very highly rated by the Fulham faithful, last season he took his game to a new level.

Medical issues had previously hampered his progress at the Club, but he missed just five matches in 2022/23 through injury.

Tapping a wooden chair when it's put to him that those concerns appear to be behind him, the Dutchman said: "It was key for me that I stayed fit, so that I could show my potential. I knew already what I could do, but I'd always been kind of struggling, so it was key to stay fit.

"It was not only a good year for me, but also for Fulham. We did really well, we were really solid, we knew exactly what to do, and let's see if we can do better this year."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/august/25/tete-targets-arsenal/

Marco Silva demands five new Fulham signings before transfer deadline

Marco Silva has sent a clear message to Fulham's sporting director Tony Khan, insisting the club "have to sign at least five players" before the end of the transfer window.

Fulham are intent on replacing Aleksandar Mitrovic in the final week of the window, after the striker joined Al Hilal for a club-record sale worth £46million. They are interested in Flamengo's Pedro and Duvan Zapata at Atalanta.

Raul Jimenez, Adama Traore, Calvin Bassey and Willian have come in this summer, but Fulham also lost five players whose contracts expired as well as three loanees who returned to their parent clubs.

"From last April, the plan was clear", said Silva. "It's no surprise what we need. We have just two full-backs in our squad — one right-back and one left-back. We need two more.

"We have to sign at least five players until the end of the market. We have to."

Fulham visit Arsenal tomorrow, a side they last beat in 2012 and have never beaten away from home in their history.

"That shows how big the task is", Silva added. "Those are the facts and I cannot go against the facts. Arsenal, when they play against 80 or 90 per cent of teams at home, are the favourites.

"It's a big challenge for us, but we like big challenges. We showed that last season and we have to start showing again how much we like these challenges."



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/marco-silva-fulham-transfer-news-b1102976.html

Gabriel Jesus 'ready to go' for Arsenal against Fulham as Mikel Arteta delivers exciting update

Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media ahead of Arsenal's clash against Fulham and the Spaniard delivered an update on the possibility of Gabriel Jesus being involved

Gabriel Jesus "is ready to go" against Fulham, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed.

After undergoing a minor knee operation that caused him to miss the Community Shield win over Manchester City as well as the two Premier League games against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, the Brazilian was back in full training on Thursday and there were some encouraging signs from the session.

With the Cottagers being the Gunners' penultimate opponents before the first international break of the season, naturally there had been chatter amongst some supporters about Jesus getting some minutes under his belt in preparation for next weekend's showdown against Manchester United.

And it would appear that could be the case with Arteta revealing the striker has trained well all week and is ready to go from the start if necessary against Marco Silva's side as the Gunners look to make it three wins from three at the start of the new Premier League campaign.

"I was really happy. It was a big blow for him after the pre-season he had to have another surgery," he Arsenal manager said in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. "He's looking really sharp. He trained the full week good. He's ready to go.

Whether Arteta hands Jesus a start remains to be seen especially as Eddie Nketiah has lead the line well in the Brazilian's absence. The Hale End academy graduate scored against Nottingham Forest and whilst he missed a great chance against Palace, he did win the penalty from which Martin Odegaard successfully converted.

Ironically it was against Fulham in the reverse fixture last season when Jesus made his return from a three-month injury lay-off - sustained at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar - coming off the bench to play the final 13 minutes at Craven Cottage, showing positive signs but also missing a big chance.



https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/gabriel-jesus-arsenal-fulham-arteta-27592393

Fulham keen on signing Mike Tresor
Fulham are reportedly keen on signing 24-year-old Belgian winger Mike Tresor before the summer transfer window shuts down.

A Voetbal Nieuws report claims that Fulham are now looking to sign 24-year-old Belgian international Mike Tresor before the summer transfer window closes. The London outfit need to add more quality and depth to their attack, and the Genk winger could prove to be a quality acquisition.

The 24-year-old had an impressive 2022/23 season with Genk, and he ended up contributing with eight goals and 24 assists across all competitions. Fulham have recently sanctioned the departure of striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. They have also lost Manor Solomon from last season. The Cottagers have thus been linked with many attackers, including Moise Kean.

It is evident that they will need to replace these players the Belgian could prove to be a useful acquisition. Tresor can operate on both flanks, and he will add goals and creativity to the side. The winger has a contract with the Belgian club until the summer of 2025, and it remains to be seen whether Fulham can agree on a reasonable deal for him.

The opportunity to move to the Premier League will be an attractive proposition for the Belgian winger, and he is likely to be tempted. Fulham managed to secure a top-half finish in the Premier League last year, and they will look to build on that and push for European qualification this time around.

Someone like Tresor will certainly improve them going forward, and it remains to be seen whether the two clubs can come to an agreement. A move to the Premier League would be a step up in the 24-year-old's career, and he will look to showcase his qualities at the highest level.

If he manages to impress with the London club this season, there is no reason why he cannot play for a bigger club in the near future. Meanwhile, Fulham will certainly fancy their chances of signing the player.

They have the resources to get the deal done, especially after the departure of Mitrovic. As for the 24-year-old Belgian winger, regular football in the Premier League will help him improve further and accelerate his development.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2023/08/25/fulham-keen-on-signing-mike-tresor/

Fulham thinking about offering more than €25m for striker – Player has expressed desire to leave club
Earlier today, we covered reports from Brazil which said Fulham were 'evaluating' the possibility of making an offer for Flamengo star Pedro.

Looking to replace Aleksandar Mitrović, it was said the Whites made contact for the signing, even though they haven't talked about numbers yet.

It turns out that as Goal Brasil now features a story on this situation, they say Fulham actually have an idea of how much they'd need to spend on this signing.

The outlet writes that the Whites recently contacted Pedro's staff, willing to offer €25m for the transfer, and were told that Flamengo wouldn't sell him for that much.

Now Fulham are said to be evaluating whether they are willing to make an official offer worth more than that.

What Marco Silva's side have as an advantage is that Pedro wants to leave Flamengo and already told that to the board.

The player was recently punched in the face by a member of Jorge Sampaoli's staff, and even though the aggressor was fired, the player is not satisfied with the way he's being treated there, as he's been benched lately.

Still, Flamengo don't want him sold before the end of the season, so Fulham's bid would need to be convincing enough.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-thinking-offering-e25m-striker-player-expressed-desire-leave-club/

Arsenal Matchday Preview

Arsenal v Fulham | Saturday 26th August | 3pm | Emirates Stadium | #ARSFUL

The opposition

    It's been a 100 per cent start to the campaign for Arsenal as they look to challenge for the Premier League title once again, though each of their games have been hard fought affairs.
    After holding off the late threat of a Nottingham Forest fightback to win 2-1 on opening day, they needed a Martin Ødegaard penalty to separate themselves from Crystal Palace on Monday night.
    The Gunners have shown their ambition in the transfer market this summer, spending more than £200m to bring Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber to North London.

Arsenal team news

Mikel Arteta will have Gabriel Jesus available for the first time this season, after the striker returned to full training this week having recovered from a knee injury. Takehiro Tomiyasu was sent off at Palace so sits out, but his left-back spot could be taken by the fit again Oleksandr Zinchenko. Midfielder Mohamed Elneny is a long-term absentee, and he'll been joined in the treatment room for the foreseeable future by new signing Timber who suffered an ACL injury on his Premier League debut.

Fulham team news

Tim Ream will serve a one-game ban, while an Achilles issue has put a question mark over Willian's involvement.

Tickets

Fulham took the maximum allocation available to us at the Emirates, which promptly sold out, meaning there will be more than 3,000 away fans backing the boys in North London.

Weather

There is a chance of some light rain when we kick-off on Saturday, but temperatures will remain around 21 degrees.

Bag policy

Fans are advised that Arsenal do not permit entry of any bags larger than A4, and that there are no left luggage facilities available.

Player insight

Kenny Tete knows the size of the task ahead of Fulham, but is still looking forward to testing himself against the Gunners.

"I think they've had some great signings," he said. "They are stronger than last year, but we're looking forward to playing against them.

"While we've analysed our last game, we've also done our analysis on them. First of all, we have to focus on us, make sure we're in the right shape.

"It's a game of football so it can go both ways."

Coverage

FFCtv subscribers will be able to listen to live commentary of the game from Gentleman Jim and Jamie Reid.

Top scorers

Arsenal: Eddie Nketiah, Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka (1)

Fulham: Bobby De Cordova-Reid (1)

Form

Arsenal: D*WW

*Won on penalties

Fulham: WL



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/august/25/arsenal-matchday-preview/

Arsenal XI vs Fulham: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest

Gabriel Jesus is ready to play his first match of the season for Arsenal after a rapid recovery from knee surgery.

The 26-year-old is available to face Fulham having trained all week at the Gunners' London Colney base.

Mikel Arteta confirmed the news in his pre-match press conference, saying: "He is looking really sharp and trained really well for the full week, so he is ready to go."

It is unclear whether the Brazil international will be available from the start, however, with Eddie Nketiah having done a good job in his absence. Nketiah will likely continue up front in a three with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, leaving Jesus on the bench.

Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard will continue in midfield with Aaron Ramsdale to start in goal ahead of new signing David Raya.

Arsenal will have to make a change in defence from their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Monday after Takehiro Tomiyasu's controversial red card.

Oleksandr Zinchenko could take his place having made the bench on Monday after a period out injured. William Saliba, Ben White and Thomas Partey would complete the back line with Gabriel Magalhaes also available.

Jurrien Timber is potentially out for the season after suffering a major knee injury against Nottingham Forest on the opening day. Reiss Nelson and Mohammed Elneny are also injured.

Albert Sambi Lokonga, Kieran Tierney and Florin Balogun will all likely miss out while in talks to leave the club before transfer deadline day on September 1.

Predicted Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Partey, White, Saliba, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli

Injuries: Timber, Elneny

Doubts: Nelson, Tierney, Balogun, Lokonga

Suspended: Tomiyasu.

Time and date: 3pm BST on Saturday August 26, 2023

Venue: Emirates Stadium



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-fc-xi-vs-fulham-predicted-lineup-confirmed-team-news-injury-latest-b1103008.html

Tottenham and London rival exploring perfect cash-plus-player swap that's a win-win for all

Tottenham and Fulham have held discussions over a cash-plus-player swap deal involving Eric Dier that would benefit all involved, per reports.

Dier, 29, has been overlooked for inclusion in both of Ange Postecoglou's first two matchday squads this season. The switch of formation from a back five to a back four has removed one centre-back from the starting eleven. Dier's situation has been further complicated by the arrival of Micky van de Ven.

The Dutchman has been chosen to partner World Cup winner Cristian Romero thus far. Davinson Sanchez has been named on the bench ahead of Dier, while Ben Davies was also trialled at centre-half in pre-season.

What's more, with Tottenham still on the hunt for another high profile addition at centre-half, Dier does not appear to have a future in north London.

Among those Tottenham have sized up is Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo. Now, according to Sky Sports, a cash-plus-player swap deal involving Dier and Adarabioyo has been explored.

Fulham have enquired into the move that would see Spurs land Adarabioyo as well as receive a small fee on top.

One complication stems from French side Monaco showing strong interest in Adarabioyo.

What's more, CBS Sports reporter, Ben Jacobs, claimed joining Monaco is the centre-back's preferred outcome.

However, Monaco are yet to stump up a suitable offer and the option of joining Spurs is now under deliberation.

"With Tosin, my understanding was that he preferred to sign for Monaco," said Jacobs (as quoted by The Boot Room).

"But from Fulham's point of view, they were perhaps interested in some sort of deal that might involve Eric Dier going the other way.

"So we wait and see if the player changes his mind."

Dier urged to leave Tottenham for his own good
Regarding Dier and his lack of a future at Spurs, the Telegraph's Luke Edwards insisted the defender "needs to go"

"He needs to go," Edwards said while appearing on the Transfer Gossip Daily podcast. "He needs to play football.

"He's in exactly the same [situation] as Harry Maguire. He needs to go and play football and at his age he doesn't want to be just sitting there. He's been left out of the first two squads."

Edwards concluded by declaring: "I think he needs to go."

If Dier and Adarabioyo were to trade places, the switch would appear to be a win-win for all involved.

Tottenham would be offloading an unwanted player and replacing him with a younger star who is better suited to Postecoglou's style.

Fulham, meanwhile, would land a proven England international to replace Adarabioyo who has entered the final year of his contract.



https://www.teamtalk.com/tottenham-hotspur/spurs-and-fulham-exploring-perfect-cash-plus-player-swap-win-win-for-all

Fulham defender delighted with Silva summer signing – Hints he might start at the weekend
Fulham defender Kenny Tete has shared his delight at the club's move for Calvin Bassey this summer, having spoken to him regarding life at Ajax.

The full-back has been speaking to ViaPlay in the Netherlands regarding the defender, who arrived from Ajax in a €22.5m deal at the end of last month.

He originally joined the Dutch club in a €23m move from Rangers last summer after impressing at Ibrox but endured a difficult year at the club amid their struggles last season.

A series of high-profile errors and mistakes saw him continuously criticised and ultimately led to Ajax sanctioning an exit this summer, something Fulham moved quickly to take advantage of.

He's quickly made a positive impression at his new club, impressing in pre-season and earning admiration from Fulham's fanbase.

He's yet to start a game in the Premier League, sitting on the bench for the win over Everton and featuring for just 23 minutes in the 3-0 loss to Brentford last weekend.

Tete believes that could be about to change, though, admitting his delight at the deal and conversations with the defender regarding life at Ajax.

"I think he's a good bloke and I am happy he is coming to help us," he said.

"His competitor (Tim Ream) made a red card the previous game, so maybe he will start this weekend.

"A lot has changed when I talk to him about [Ajax], and I compare it to the time when I was there."



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-defender-delighted-silva-summer-signing-hints-might-start-weekend/

Report: Fulham's Ambitious Chase for Top League Talents
Fulham's Pursuit: A Strategic Embrace of Zapata and Dier

As summer winds down and the transfer windows' hinges grow creaky, Fulham's transfer activity seems to be heating up, signifying their ambitions for the season ahead.

Zapata: From Atalanta to Craven Cottage?
Duvan Zapata, the Colombian powerhouse known for his exploits in Serie A with Atalanta, found his prospective move to Roma hitting a brick wall. With this development, it's understood according to Sky Sports that Fulham's management has Zapata in their crosshairs.

The departure of their frontline spearhead, Aleksandar Mitrovic, to Al Hilal for an unprecedented sum means Marco Silva is on the prowl for a striker of Zapata's calibre. The urgency of their striker situation, especially with Transfer Deadline Day on September 1 looming, underscores the importance of this move.

Dier and More: Fulham's Refined Focus
It isn't just a top-class striker that Fulham is after. The club's vision is comprehensive. They're aiming to welcome as many as five players into their fold, spanning a variety of positions – wingers, full-backs, and potentially a midfield maestro.

Furthermore, whispers suggest advanced negotiations between Fulham and Leicester regarding Timothy Castagne, a versatile player who can fortify both flanks.

However, another name making ripples in the Fulham transfer pond is Tottenham's Eric Dier. Fulham recognise the seasoned centre-back as a viable acquisition. With Tottenham expressing an interest in Tosin Adarabioyo, there's a possibility of a mutually beneficial arrangement. But with Monaco aggressively courting Adarabioyo, Fulham have its work cut out.

A Domino Effect in the Transfer Market
While Fulham navigates these waters, Roma's pivot towards Sardar Azmoun of Bayer Leverkusen, post the Zapata negotiation fallout, is an exemplar of the domino effects often witnessed in these transfer window endgames.

In this intricate dance of negotiations, one thing is clear: Fulham are not content with mere participation; they're setting the stage for a significant campaign ahead.



https://eplindex.com/95230/report-fulhams-ambitious-chase-for-top-league-talents.html

Jesus fit to face Fulham, says Arsenal manager
Aug 25 (Reuters) - Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus is ready to make his return after missing the opening games of the season due to a knee injury, manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday.

Jesus underwent a minor knee operation before the season started after sustaining an injury at the Qatar World Cup.

"It was a big blow for him, after the pre-season that he had to have another surgery, but he's looking really sharp, he trained the full week really good, so he's ready to go," the manager told reporters ahead of the game with Fulham.

When pressed on whether the Brazilian could be involved in Saturday's game, Arteta was very positive.

"He is ready to go. (From the start?) Let's see."

There is speculation that both Folarin Balogun and Kieran Tierney will leave the club, and with the transfer window closing on Sep.1 a lot can still happen.

"There are some movements happening. Obviously, the last week is going to be really, really busy, but there's nothing we can announce at the moment," Arteta said.

"We need clarity in the amount of numbers we're going to have and who can do what, but until the window is shut..."

The Saudi Pro League window remains open longer and Arteta was asked if this is fair.

"No, because it's a competitor now. That's my opinion."

Arsenal are one of only three sides, together with Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City, on maximum points, after their wins over Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.

n Saturday, Arsenal host Fulham, a team which finished 10th last season and which began this campaign with a win at Everton but followed it up with a 3-0 loss to Brentford. Still, Arteta is full of praise for Marco Silva's side.

"I think what Marco and the coaching staff have done is remarkable. The way they played last season, where they finished in the Premier League and especially the way they did it was remarkable," the Spaniard said.

"He is a coach that I always admire because they're really well organised, they have really clear ideas of what they want to do... Tomorrow, we're going to have a tough match.

Reporting by Trevor Stynes; Editing by Sharon Singleton



https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/jesus-fit-face-fulham-says-arsenal-manager-2023-08-25/?rpc=401&

Arsenal vs Fulham Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal will aim to make it three wins in three as they take on an out-of-form Fulham side at the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta continued his squad experimentations in the second game running. But his players put in a monumental shift to secure three points against Crystal Palace. A second-half Martin Odegaard penalty proved enough, but the clash at Selhurst Park had its share of drama.

Takehiro Tomiyasu saw red for two quick bookable offences, although the decision created some heated debate after the game and during the current week. Arteta remained coy and insisted he loved how his team responded as Arsenal put in an ultra-defensive shift to keep the score intact.

Next up for Arsenal are an out-of-form Fulham, and Arteta will certainly eye another win to keep the team's 100% record intact. The Gunners will want to use this clash to apply pressure on Manchester City by taking the lead on the table and preparing well for their big clash next weekend against Manchester United.

Fulham have made a dreadful start to their campaign, putting in one of the worst defensive displays in the league. While the narrow win over Everton was more smash-and-grab, the Cottagers were thoroughly humbled on home soil by Brentford.

Bryan Mbeumo's brace and an opening strike from Yoane Wissa ensured the three points went to Brentford, while defender Tim Ream's sending-off will mean he will miss the Arsenal game. The Cottagers have looked subdued since the start of the season. And Silva will need thorough reinvention of ideas if they are to get anything out of the Emirates.

Following the Arsenal clash, Fulham have some tough fixtures ahead, with Tottenham in the EFL Cup and then Manchester City in the league. Anything positive out of the Emirates would help, as a defeat now and in the next game will prove catastrophic for them in the context of their objectives.

Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
Arsenal may not have fresh injury concerns after the Crystal Palace win, but there are a few potential returnees ahead of the Fulham game. First of all, Gabriel Jesus returned to training this week, but there are low chances of Mikel Arteta involving the Brazilian against Fulham in any capacity.

The suspension of Takehiro Tomiyasu could lead to fundamental changes in their shape and style. With Oleksandr Zinchenko the most obvious candidate to replace the Japanese full-back, Arteta might reshuffle his midfield and possibly sacrifice one of Kai Havertz or Eddie Nketiah.

Thomas Partey, who has started as a right-back in the opening two games, could move at the base of midfield, with Declan Rice occupying the left-sided role. Zinchenko will likely do the inverted duties Arteta wants from his full-back, but the manager will then have to decide on his starting striker.

Meanwhile, if Zinchenko comes in, Gabriel Magalhaes could also make his first start of the season and lineup alongside William Saliba in the centre. Ben White will assume his customary right-back role, with the other parts of the team intact. However, Arteta might go with Havertz over Nketiah for the striker's role.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli


Fulham
Tim Ream's red card will see him miss this clash at the Emirates, while Joao Palhinha could return to the matchday squad, but only as a bench option. The Arsenal game could come too soon for the Portuguese midfielder, who has only recently recovered from a shoulder injury in pre-season.

Marco Silva also mentioned Willian was a doubt for this clash, meaning he could ring some tactical and personnel changes to his lineup. After suffering a lot in the opening two games, the Fulham manager might see fit to change the system slightly against Arsenal.

With that in mind, Silva could deploy a double pivot in central midfield, with Harrison Reed and Sasa Lukic taking on the responsibilities. Issa Diop and new signing Calvin Bassey will feature as the central defensive pairing, with Tete and Antonee Robinson as fullbacks.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Harry Wilson will likely play as wingers for this clash, with Ricardo Pereira in the advanced midfield role behind the striker. With Aleksandar Mitrovic playing his last game for Fulham, Raul Jimenez seems like their starting striker for now, although Silva would hope for another new signing before the window shuts.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tete, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Reed; Wilson, Pereira, De Cordova-Reid; Jimenez


Key Stats

    Arsenal are undefeated in their last 16 home matches against Fulham in all competitions.
    Arsenal have only kept two clean sheets in their last 12 Premier League matches at the Emirates.
    Arsenal have only kept one clean sheet in their last seven Premier League home matches against Fulham.
    Arsenal have scored at least two goals in seven of their last eight matches against Fulham in all competitions.
    Fulham have never won away at Arsenal in the league in 30 visits (D6 L24).

Player to Watch
Kai Havertz

There is a new scapegoat at Arsenal, Havertz, although the German has played exceptional football since coming to the club. The only problem is that when he has the ball, there is a level of fixation that looks for errors and ignores all the good things he does.

Havertz was one of the most hard-working players on the pitch against Crystal Palace, but his moves made him seem lazy. In any case, the forward needs to start garnering up the numbers, that is, scoring goals, and if he starts against Fulham, it's likely in the centre-forward role.

Prediction
Arsenal 3-0 Fulham

It has been difficult for Arsenal to keep clean sheets at the Emirates. But Mikel Arteta could emphasise this when they take on Fulham. With renewed defensive resilience, the manager will want his team to shut out Fulham while scoring plenty of goals at the other end.

Fulham do not come into this clash in any sort of good form; if there is a word to describe their current condition, it's wretched. Hence, nobody can see Marco Silva's side getting anything from this clash, and the departure of Aleksandar Mitrovic will create problems for scoring goals, at least in the short term.



https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2023/08/25/arsenal-vs-fulham-preview-probable-lineups-prediction-tactics-team-news-key-stats-2/

Sources: Tottenham open talks to sign Adarabioyo in swap deal
Fulham and Tottenham are in talks over a swap deal involving Tosin Adarabioyo, Eric Dier and cash, sources have told Football Insider.

Both players are in the final year of their contracts at their respective clubs but could be set to move within London before the 1 September deadline.

Football Insider revealed earlier this month (14 August) that there is a real possibility of Dier, 29, quitting Tottenham this summer.

Fulham have emerged as the frontrunner to complete a late-window deal – but it is believed interest from other clubs in England and Europe could yet throw a spanner in the works.

Football Insider first revealed Tottenham's interest in signing Adarabioyo earlier this summer (23 June).

Spurs could face competition for his signature too, with widespread reports suggesting Monaco are also admirers and have seen a bid rejected.

Adarabioyo has been missing from the matchday squad in Fulham's first two games of the Premier League season with Marco Silva's side now braced for him to exit.

The centre-back made 29 appearances across all competitions in the 2022-23 campaign and notched one goal as the Cottagers recorded an impressive 10th-place finish.

Fulham activated a one-year extension clause in Adarabioyo's contract back in January but may be forced to sell this summer to avoid losing the defender for free in 2024.

Dier has been at Tottenham since 2014 and has turned out 361 times across all competitions – but is yet to win a trophy with the Lilywhites.

He too was left out of the matchday squad by manager Ange Postecoglou for the first two Premier League games of this season.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-tottenham-open-talks-to-sign-adarabioyo-in-swap-deal/

AEW brings first int'l PPV to Wembley Stadium, on verge of breaking sales record

AEW founder Tony Khan "will be able to celebrate what he says will be a record at London's venerable Wembley Stadium" this Sunday, as ticket sales for All In, AEW's first international PPV, have "surprised his doubters," according to Georg Szalai of HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Khan said it will be "the biggest wrestling event in the history of Europe" when looking at ticket sales and box office receipts. Khan: "We have got approximately 80,000 tickets distributed. We have had roughly $10 million in ticket sales and we have set every AEW business metric record for our own sales. We've hit our own box office record many times over, and certainly our own attendance record many times over. ... It stands as one of the all-time biggest wrestling shows of all time [worldwide] in terms of tickets sold and gate receipts." Khan said being an exec at Fulham and working in the Premier League and in the NFL has given him "connections and relationships" where he has been "able to get into rooms with the top executives in television and sports to help launch AEW as a major player from the very beginning." Khan: "That's an advantage I've had over other people who tried to enter the pro wrestling promotion space" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 8/23).

BREAKING BARRIERS: THE ATHLETIC's Amitai Winehouse wrote All In marks a "serious moment for AEW," as Khan "wants to challenge the behemoth that is the WWE." He said, "I do believe we have a chance to fight market-by-market to be the No. 1 (pro wrestling) promotion. There are major markets now where we're the industry leader." Khan is in the "unique position" of having billionaire and Jaguars owner Shahid Khan as his dad. Shahid Khan fronted more than $100M for the launch of the company in 2018. AEW is a private company, but a source said that AEW "did post revenue of comfortably over" $100M in 2022, and now "stands on its own two feet." The source also said that revenue is "growing even further" due to the gate for All In, the release of the video game "AEW Fight Forever" and the addition of a second live weekly TV show, "AEW Collision" (THE ATHLETIC, 8/23).



https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2023/08/25/aew-tony-khan-ppv-wembley.aspx?issue=193ab052100a4e46b860deb30f1f8e48&publicationSource=sbd

Fulham: Cottagers make Duvan Zapata contact
The Cottagers are in the market for a new forward before the deadline.

Fulham have made an approach over a move for Atalanta forward Duvan Zapata after a transfer elsewhere fell through.

Are Fulham signing a striker?
Marco Silva's side have endured a mixed start to the new Premier League season after a 1-0 opening weekend win over Everton was followed by a 3-0 home defeat to Brentford.

The Cottagers have been without star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic after his £50m move to Saudi Arabia side Al-Hilal, with the forward netting a header on his debut.

Fulham, as a result, appear to be on the hunt to replace Mitrovic before the September 1 deadline despite bringing in Raul Jimenez from Wolves and have been linked with a move for Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.

However, the USA international appears to be edging closer to a move to AS Monaco. Another player who had been linked was Juventus' Moise Kean, however, Silva has squashed that rumour while also laying out his concerns late in the window.

No, Moise Kean is not a solution for us. I don't like to talk about players that are not our players. Moise Kean is a player from Juventus. But I can confirm he is not the player we are looking for."

"I will not answer about Mitrovic because it would be a lack of respect to the players we have in our squad right now. He understood my ideas and executed that.

"With more time it would be less difficult. Right now, at this moment in the mark, it is really difficult. This is the problem when you leave things for the last week of the market. We are not in the best position."

The club's search for a striker now appears to have led to interest in Zapata.

According to The Daily Mail, Fulham have been in contact over a transfer for Zapata by approaching Atalanta. The report states that the striker was set to make the move to AS Roma on loan but expressed doubts and the deal fell through at the 11th hour.

It is believed that Zapata is leaning towards staying at Atalanta, however, Fulham appear to be keen and have made their first move.

Who is Duvan Zapata?
Zapata is an out-and-out centre-forward who has plied the majority of his club career in Italy. The 32-year-old has turned out for Napoli, Udinese, Sampdoria and Atalanta over the last 10 years, making 283 appearances in Serie A, scoring 108 goals.

A Colombia international, Zapata is known for his physicality, with former teammate Papu Gomez describing the forward as a "beast" who is "like a train".

"Zapata's shorts look like underwear, he is so big.

"Sometimes I don't even want to get close to him in a match because he's a beast and it hurts. When he is feeling good he's like a train – you throw the ball forward and 'ciao!'"

A proven and experienced goalscorer in Italy, a move for Zapata could be one to keep an eye on in the final days of the window, but with time ticking, you'd expect Fulham will be in contact with a number of targets over potential moves to Craven Cottage.



https://www.footballfancast.com/fulham-premier-league-transfer-news-duvan-zapata-contact/

Arsenal's record v Fulham at home unrivalled in League history

Ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash between Fulham and Arsenal, let's look at some key stats from the fixture.

    Arsenal's unbeaten home record against Fulham in the English league is unrivalled, winning 24 and drawing six of 30 meetings.
    Leandro Trossard's emergence as a key player for Arsenal, leading the Premier League in assists since his debut in January 2023.
    Fulham's struggles in London derbies, with just one win in their last 19 top-flight matches against fellow London clubs.

Arsenal's dominance over Fulham
Arsenal's track record against Fulham at home is unrivalled in English league history.

In their 30 home league meetings, Arsenal have come out victorious 24 times, drawing the remaining six.

Fulham will be looking to change this record, but history is not on their side; no team has faced another at home without ever losing like Arsenal have against Fulham.

Fulham's aspirations on the road
Following an impressive 1-0 victory over Everton on the opening day, Fulham are setting their sights on achieving something they've never done before: win their opening two away games in a top-flight campaign.

Marco Silva's men will be aiming to make history at Emirates Stadium, a venue that hasn't been kind to them in the past.

Trossard's impressive record
Arsenal's Leandro Trossard has made a significant impact since his debut in January 2023. Leading the Premier League in assists with 10, he has proven to be a key player for Arsenal.

Notably, three of those assists came against Fulham in March, a statistic that Fulham will be all too aware of.

Fulham's struggles in London Derbies
Fulham's record on the road against fellow London clubs leaves much to be desired.

They have won just one of their last 19 top-flight matches in London (D4 L14).

That sole win was a 3-0 triumph against Crystal Palace on Boxing Day last year.

Silva's side will be keen to improve this record, but facing an in-form Arsenal will be a tough challenge.

Conclusion
Saturday's clash offers Fulham a chance to rewrite some unflattering statistics.

The Cottagers' boss Marco Silva's words reflect confidence in his squad, despite acknowledging Arsenal's strengths.

With players like Willian possibly missing out and uncertainty around replacements, Fulham will need to dig deep to overturn history but few will give them much chance of stopping Arsenal.

For Arsenal, the focus will be on maintaining their dominance over Fulham and capitalising on key players like Trossard while maintaining their winning start to the season.

It promises to be an engaging match, filled with intriguing subplots and statistics, as both sides look to make their mark early in the season.



https://dailycannon.com/2023/08/arsenals-v-fulham-home-unrivalled-in-premier-league/

Can a Mitrovic-less Fulham put anything past us?
I'm almost upset that the Serbian bête noire, Aleksandar Mitrović, has joined the exodus to Saudi Arabia. I'd just coined the adjective "Mitrovician". Then again, that does sound like one of those dinosaur periods. Anyway, Mitrović's departure is both boon and bane. On one hand, with him in the lineup, we'd know what to expect: lots of balls into the box, lots of crosses and hoped-for set-pieces, and enough shithousery to make Diego Costa green with envy. On the other, without him Fulham get a little less predictable, which is not the same as "more dangerous". All the same, we'd do well to be wary.

At first blush, one might be tempted to ask, "why worry?" After all, Fulham barely eked past one of the sides already pencilled in for relegation (Everton) before then getting their hats handed to them at home to Brentford. We might commiserate with the Cottagers here: TIm Ream drew a second yellow for a very innocuous coming together with Brentford's Yoane Missa, their hips bumping just a bit, and Missa makes the most of it. We've seen similarly soft second yellows (not to mention straight reds), haven't we? According to Ream and Marco Silva, he PGMOL have admitted that it was wrong to award the penalty and send Ream off. Long story short: the injustice may pour a bit of petrol into their veins.

Speaking of vendettas, the man who nodded the ball into Wissa's path is none other than former Wolves striker Raúl Jiménez, who may still bear some ill will against the Arsenal for our overjoyous celebrations at Wolves' expense, and, more personally, for the tête-à-tête he had with David Luiz that very nearly ended his career. For himself, Jiménez says that he bears no ill will against Luiz, but one should never underestimate the allure of exacting some measure of revenge, however delayed it may be. If Jiménez can find a way to fill a more-Mitrovician role, he may just find some degree of revenge.

Last not not least, there's the small matter of Bernd Leno. There was a time when he ranked among our best players. He'd been a shot-stopping, old-school keeper of the best sort when we needed some kind of solidity under Unai. The arrivals of Arteta and then Ramsdale relegated Leno to the bench, aborting what looked to be the possible coronation as Germany's new Neuer. Shunting him off to Fulham may then feel like the kind of indignity that could inspire Leno to deliver the kind of MOTM-level performance we frankly could do without.

At our end, we might just see the returns of Zinchenko and Jesus, which would reduce the kind of shoehorning Arteta's been reduced to in our first two matches. If Zinchenko is fit enough to start, Partey would return to the #6 role and White would return to RB, with Magalhães and Saliba getting reacquainted. Here's where it gets tricksy in the best of ways. There's quite the selection dilemma. Against Fulham, we can probably get away with a more-aggressive, attack-minded set-up. Between Partey, Rice, and Havertz, perhaps we rest Partey, who's been putting demanding shifts as the inverted RB, ask Rice to play the 6, and ask Havertz to play from the left as the 8. Ødegaard plays on the right in his #10. Ahead of them, then, we'd have Martinelli, Jesus, and Saka.

That's...that's a potentially devastating, eviscerating lineup capable of reducing opponents to ribbons. Against sides such as Fulham, especially at home, we really do have to look for a 4-0 or even a 5-0 result. No disrespect intended, Fulham. It's just that we have our eyes on a Prem title, and goal-difference could be a difference-maker. After two sputtering but positive results, it's time to kick on with a vengeance. To quote one C. Montgomery Burns, release the hounds!



https://woolwich1886.com/2023/08/25/can-a-mitrovic-less-fulham-put-anything-past-us/

Tottenham eyeing swap deal for Tosin Adarabioyo
Tottenham could plot a swap deal with Fulham for Tosin Adarabioyo, with Eric Dier proposing to go the other way.

According to Football Insider, Fulham could consider Tottenham's offer of a swap deal involving Eric Dier plus cash for their defender Tosin Adarabioyo. The latter may also have interest from Monaco and seems to favour a move there, but with Spurs coming in, things could change.

Two London clubs, Tottenham and Fulham, could thrash out a solution for their respective needs as Spurs propose a swap deal of sorts. Ange Postecoglou still needs a defender, particularly as some of his current fringe players could depart.

Chief among them are Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier, with the pair not firmly in Postecoglou's plans for the season. While the former has featured in games, the England star has not made it to Tottenham's two matchday squads.

There's a clear indication that Tottenham would like to offload Dier if a decent offer came in, as he could prove valuable to several clubs in England and abroad. One of them could be Fulham, who could now ponder over a proposal that Spurs are likely to put forward.

Tottenham have remained interested in Tosin Adarabioyo and have been finding a way to plot a move for the defender. After extensively searching the market for other options, Postecoglou may have singled out the Fulham star.

Since reports emerged that Fulham would like to sell him to Tottenham, the north Londoners are pondering over including Eric Dier as part of the deal, plus some cash. With that, they could have an unwanted player leave and get their preferred target on the cheap.

However, the 25-year-old also has interest from Monaco and remains keen to join the French side. However, if Tottenham makes a concerted approach and things look good regarding a move, Adarabioyo might prefer to stay in London than move to Ligue 1.

Hence, things will depend on Fulham's openness to take Eric Dier as part of the deal and use his experience to help the squad this season. Otherwise, they might reject the idea altogether and demand cash for Adabioyo.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2023/08/26/tottenham-eyeing-swap-deal-for-tosin-adarabioyo/

A recurring Tottenham transfer rumour that has no chance of happening
The latest on the Tosin Adarabioyo to Tottenham rumours have the Fulham centre-back moving to N17, with Eric Dier heading west to Craven Cottage.

Adarabioyo has been linked to Spurs since the start of the current transfer window. However, one irreconcilable issue perpetuates.

The player does not want to play for Tottenham. There is nothing more decisive than that. It's an impassable roadblock, like a fallen lorry splayed across every lane.

If the player is dead set against the prospective landing spot, like Adarabioyo is, the potential transfer is finished before it gets started, like a 100-metre sprinter who jumps the gun twice.

The 25-year-old central defender was steadfast on a move to Monaco. Unfortunately for him, the deal between Fulham and Monaco fell apart near the finish line. While better than being disqualified for two false starts, getting near the finish line without crossing it yields the same outcome.

Dier and Adarabioyo have a year left in the current deals. The latter is keen on a move away from Craven Cottage and has been since he started receiving interest from various clubs.

Tottenham's stalwart was against a move until recently. That narrative, however, has since shifted.

Dier takes a lot of flack from a large section of supporters. Combine that with his precipitous free-fall down Tottenham's pecking order, and you can understand the Englishman's change of heart.

While Dier is certainly amenable to the right move, this is not it. Adarabioyo has made it clear that he does not want to play for Tottenham.

The feeling is mutual.

You can't force a player to join your team, nor do you want to. Messing with the current feel-good factor in Tottenham's locker room would be tantamount to treason during the Medieval period.

Leave well enough alone, and let's collectively move on from this dead-end rumour. We have more important things to discuss, like how in the world we will trim our excess fat in the coming week.



https://hotspurhq.com/2023/08/26/recurring-tottenham-transfer-rumour-no-chance-happening/

Report: Fulham and Tottenham's Unexpected Transfer Tango

Capital City Swap
In the heart of London, the football community is abuzz. Fulham's Craven Cottage and Tottenham's White Hart Lane might just be setting the stage for a remarkable deal. At the core? None other than Tosin Adarabioyo and Eric Dier. And to spice things up further, a little cash to balance the scales. As the drama unfolds, we lean on Football Insider for the inside scoop.

A Race Against Time
With the deadline of 1st September casting a looming shadow, both Adarabioyo and Dier find themselves in the twilight zone of their contracts. The hourglass is running out, and a switch within the city's confines seems more than likely.

Tottenham's Dilemma with Dier
Rumours started spiralling around mid-August, painting a picture of a potential Tottenham exit for 29-year-old Eric Dier. After having adorned the Spurs jersey for almost a decade, could the centre-back really be considering a departure from his long-term footballing home? While Fulham stands as a compelling suitor, whispers of interest from the length and breadth of both England and continental Europe might just complicate matters.

Adarabioyo: Fulham's Diamond in the Rough
Back in June, the grapevine was rife with Tottenham's apparent admiration for Adarabioyo. But, Spurs aren't the only ones with eyes for Fulham's defensive stalwart. Sources suggest that Monaco have thrown their hat into the ring, albeit with a bid that found no favour.

The Cottagers' opening two Premier League fixtures saw Adarabioyo conspicuously absent. This absence becomes all the more intriguing given his commendable 29 showings in the 2022-23 season. Fulham, having secured a respectable 10th-place finish, saw the centre-back chip in with a goal, solidifying his position as a crucial cog in their setup.

Despite activating an extension clause for Adarabioyo in January, Fulham stand at a crossroads. With the potential risk of seeing their star defender exit for no return next summer, the Cottagers have some decisions to make.

Dier's Journey with the Lilywhites
A journey that began in 2014, Eric Dier's tale with Tottenham has been one of dedication. 361 appearances across competitions is no small feat. Yet, the silverware has eluded him. Adding a wrinkle to the narrative, Dier was notably absent from Tottenham's matchday roster for their initial Premier League games this season.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead
Two prominent London clubs. Two sought-after players. As the transfer window gradually comes to a close, the potential swap deal between Tottenham and Fulham promises more twists and turns. Only time will tell where Adarabioyo and Dier find their homes when the dust settles.



https://eplindex.com/95275/report-fulham-and-tottenhams-unexpected-transfer-tango.html

Sources: Bayern Munich ready move for Fulham star Palhinha as door opens for Liverpool to sign Gravenberch
Bayern Munich are planning a move for Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha as they prepare to offload Liverpool target Ryan Gravenberch, sources have told Football Insider.

Bayern are keen to bring in a new defensive midfielder before the window closes and Thomas Tuchel is a big fan of the Portuguese star.

It is understood that the German giants will use the funds from Gravenberch's proposed sale to make a move for Palhina.

Football Insider revealed on Friday (25 August) that Liverpool could make a new move for £30million-rated Gravenberch with their pursuit of Cheick Doucoure slowing.

Palhinha has previously been linked with a move to West Ham this summer as a replacement for Declan Rice, but the Hammers deemed the Fulham star too expensive.

The 28-year-old returned from a shoulder problem picked up in pre-season to come off the bench during Fulham's 3-0 defeat to Brentford last Saturday.

He was a crucial figure for the Cottagers last season, playing 40 games across all competitions as Fulham secured a 10th-placed finish in the Premier League and a quarter-final exit in the FA Cup.

Palhinha proved to be one of the best defensive midfielders during his debut season in England, topping the Premier League for tackles made in 2022/23 with 147 – 47 more than Moises Caicedo in second place.

He completed a £20million move to Fulham in the summer of 2022, but the London side could be set to make a huge profit on their investment just a year later.



https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-bayern-munich-ready-move-for-fulham-star-palhinha-as-door-opens-for-liverpool-to-sign-gravenberch/

Preparing oneself for the inevitable Leno 'game of his life' – Arsenal v Fulham
It's match day in North London today! And that brings with it equal measures of excitement and trepidation. Always has, always will, but come 3pm Arteta and his players need to be ready to step up and do the business against a Fulham team smarting from a home 3-0 defeat last weekend against Brentford, as well as having lost Mitrovic to the Saudi cash and Tim Ream to suspension. Those two are a big loss for them I think, but they welcome back Palhinha in to anchor the midfield and every time I've seen him I've been impressed, so he will offer more cover and a more combative approach than were he not available, so Fulham fans will be hopeful of a better screen in front of their back line as a result.

As usual I did a bit of behind-enemy-lines snooping on some Fulham pods to see what their vibe is that 'stranger things have happened' when it comes to Fulham getting a result today. That is true, this is football, which is why even though the odds appear in our favour, even though we have a pretty decent squad to call upon (including the return of Gabby Jesus), even though Fulham have injuries, suspensions and players who have just been sold, it takes a bit of inspiration and fortune for this to turn out to be a grim day for us.

For example, on one blog I read that it said that Bernd Leno has already faced ten one-on-ones this season alone. TEN! That suggests an open defence that can get cut through easily, but I don't expect Marco Silva to go too expansive today with how he sets up his team. Why would he? He's going away from home, with players missing, against a team that competed for the title last season and have won their first two games. He's going to want to ensure he has the protection and a compact unit that can hopefully spring traps if we are too aggressive. But that is what we are; an aggressive compact pressing team who will look to squeeze Fulham high up the pitch and win the ball in their half, forcing turnovers when Fulham have the ball, which you wouldn't expect to be that often.

Fulham are missing Ream, but this Calvin Bassey chap looks good and by the sounds of it Fulham have him earmarked him as the Ream replacement, it wouldn't surprise me to see he has the debut of his life in defence, then behind him a returning Leno is inspired and essentially becomes The Octopus for a day against us.

So it is incumbent on Arsenal to ensure even thought the inevitable amazing performance from 'keeper and centre halves is incoming, we still have enough to get the goals. And in our team you'd hope we do. Which is why I initial I thought Arteta isn't changing too much today, but now when I think about options available I'm not so sure. I think Zinchenko comes in because of the absence of Timber and Tomiyasu, which I suspect means Gabriel returns to the side, with Saliba and White occupying a back four. In front of them I suspect Partey comes back in to midfield, but that poses a conundrum because I'm not sure it would mean Rice sitting in the base of the midfield either. So I suspect Rice gets moved forward in to the left eight role, then Havertz gets moved forward in to the central striker role, because I think Arteta loves Havertz and I think with the physicality of the likes of Issa Diop in the heart of the Fulham defence, he wants somebody who will be able to hold up the ball. There's no way that Saka or Martinelli aren't starting and so for me that means Eddie loses his place. That's incredibly harsh on a player who scored on the opening weekend, looked lively last weekend, plus was the man who won us the penalty against Palace, but I just have that sneaky feeling that Arteta will prefer Havertz.

Personally I wouldn't go that way. I'd have Eddie in and drop Havertz to the bench. If Fulham are leaving themselves open to one-on-ones, then you don't want Havertz getting in behind, because he ain't exactly a great finisher. You want Eddie and his pace and more natural predatory instincts inside the penalty box for those chances to be falling to. So my hope is that Arteta runs with that because I don't think you can be dropping Rice or Partey today and if Zinchenko is coming in, it feels a little weird and gung-ho to be having two inverted fullbacks on the pitch at the same time.

Every game in the Premier League is tough and there will be times today when we need to be prepared to do some solid defending, Monday's game against Palace has shown that when this Arsenal team are focused, they can be solid. I expect us to have a lot of ball today, to dominate the territory and be looking to unpick a stubborn lock. It won't be easy but patience might be the virtue, unless we score early of course. Then it could – fingers crossed – be a fun ol' afternoon.

I'm unfortunately not there today as I am away in Gloucestershire for the weekend with friends, but I'll be glued to the TV watching the game and scaring the sh*t out of my non-football loving friends from 3pm onwards. Fingers crossed my weekend isn't ruined.

Catch you all tomorrow with some more of the usual ramblings.



https://www.suburbangooners.com/2023/08/26/preparing-oneself-for-the-inevitable-leno-game-of-his-life-arsenal-v-fulham/

rsenal v Fulham (the team that never beat us): Team news and counting throw in times.
Two bits of transfer news from the Guardian this morning...  One is that Arsenal and Monaco have agreed a €40m transfer for Folarin Balogun with a pretty hefty level of sell-on clauses in the deal, which are apparently to Arsenal's advantage.   And Kieran Tierney, is reportedly in Spain today joining Real Sociedad on loan.

Elsewhere, there was a time when every preview everywhere started by recounting the number of yellow cards Arsenal had had since a date that made the statistics look alarming.  We haven't had that for a while but Talk Sprout has gone back to the old ways starting their report with "Takehiro Tomiyasu's red card against Crystal Palace was Arsenal's 14th in the Premier League under Mikel Arteta, the most of any side in that time."  No explanation of possible causes, however.

But elsewhere, as you will probably know, assuming that Bukayo Saka starts he will be playing in his 83rd consecutive match in the league – a record for the Premier League. 

However on the negative side, as we know Takehiro Tomiyasu is banned for taking eight seconds to take a throw-in.  I am hopeful that the entire crowd will count the seconds each Fulham player takes for their throw-ins just for the comparisons to be made.   And we are hoping we might see Gabriel Jesus come on as a latter-stage substitute.

Fulham also have sending-off issues with their captain Tim Ream being banned after a dismissal in the last match.   And it seems Willian has an Achilles problem so might not play for the visitors.

Fulham have the worst possible record against Arsenal.   Since 6 February 1904 when Woolwich Arsenal beat Fulham 3-2 in the FA Cup the total results have been Fulham, eight wins, draws 11, and Arsenal victories 42.

And none of those Fulham victories have been anywhere other than Craven Cottage.  They really never have won at Arsenal.  Their best-ever run against Arsenal was between 29 November 2006 and 23 August 2008, when in five games they won two at the Cottage and Arsenal won the other three (two at Arsenal, one away).   The goal tally was nine for Arsenal five for Fulham.

Since those dark days, there was a run of three draws and a Fulham win across 2011 and 2012, but since 20 April 2013 it has been eight Arsenal victories and one draw.  Across those games Arsenal have scored 24 goals – that is 2.67 a game.  Fulham have scored five: 0.63 a game.  Arsenal have scored at least one goal in each of the last 16 games against Fulham.

In fact, Arsenal's good run against Fulham extends to other games against London teams – the last 13 games against our neighbours have resulted in 11 wins and two draws.  For Fulham it is the reverse: they have won just one of their last 19 games against London teams in the Premier League.

And a rather nice point for those of us going to the game today is that Arsenal Stadium has seen more goals than any other venue in the Premier League since the start of last season – thanks to the BBC for finding that one.

Plus while we are looking at rather interesting runs, Leandro Trossard has had 10 assists since he first played in January this year – which is more than any other player in the league.  And one other good one to note: Eddie has scored 14 in the last 16 games that he has started at Arsenal.

Considering the team Zinchenko is said to be totally fit, while Wilian and Leno could play for Fulham although there are said to be doubts about Willian's fitness.

Sports Mole after a starting XI of


90 Min venture forth with... exactly the same suggestion.

And to return to the Sprout, whom I criticized at the start, they do have this to say: "Leandro Trossard has more assists than any other player in the Premier League since his Arsenal debut in January 2023 (10), with three of those coming against Fulham in March. He's averaging an assist every 95 minutes in 2023, the best ratio by a player in a calendar year in Premier League history (min. 500 minutes played)."   So it's not all bad news.

Or put another way, there isn't much bad news at all.  No wonder the papers aren't saying much about Arsenal.



https://untold-arsenal.com/archives/103042

When Fulham won at Arsenal
After a deeply depressing week, when the Whites were battered by Brentford, lost Aleksandar Mitrovic and haven't strengthened their squad, where better to boost the spirits than a trip to Arsenal. You'll hear that Fulham haven't ever won at Arsenal rather a lot before kick-off this afternoon, but that isn't actually true. If you count the London Challenge Cup, which we really should as the Whites won it three times, then Fulham famously won at Highbury in 1919 when ex-Gunners boss Phil Kelso masterminded an expected victory for the Second Division side at the start of the first competitive season after World War One.

Although the competition, which survived until 1973, eventually became a nuisance to London's bigger clubs it was created with a buzz as a regional alternative to the FA Cup in 1908 by the London FA. The Whites lifted the trophy in its second season as a Second Division side, thrashing Tottenham in the final at Stamford Bridge. The resumption of competitive club football was eagerly anticipated after the horror of the war, where the Whites lost several players, including youngsters Ernie Thompson and William Maughan, who wore number three and four next to each other forging promising careers in the black and white before dying in the trenches aged only 22 and 24.

Kelso, who had guided Arsenal to two FA Cup semi-finals before being tempted back from his native Scotland by the Fulham board after the departure of Harry Bradshaw, remains the club's longest-serving manager. Steering the Whites through the Second World War was no mean feat, but the disciplinarian – who introduced the concept of travelling and staying in hotels as a team – successfully kept the Whites in the second tier throughout his tenure. He remained remote from his players, having never played the game professionally, but was remarkably successful.

He used the transfer market successfully, bringing big names to Craven Cottage, including forward Arthur Brown, outside right Bobby Templeton, Andy Ducat, who was capped for England in both football and cricket and the tremendously talented Danny Shea. Fulham battered Bromley 8-0 in the first round of the competition, with a hat-trick from inside left George Martin, only to be drawn against 'The Arsenal' as they were then known. Les Knighton's side had the better of a goalless draw at in October 1919, attended by 7,000 fans, setting up a replay at Highbury a fortnight later. Kelso's side went behind to an early strike from Arsenal inside left Wally Hardinge, but stunned a home crowd of more than 9,000 by going in at half-time 2-1 up thanks to a brilliant brace from the deadly Donald ****. The first of outside left Frank Penn's 52 goals clinched a 3-1 win for the visitors, who were knocked out in the semi-finals and went on to finish sixth in the Division Two table.

The Fulham side that afternoon featured one of the greatest goalkeepers in the club's history, Arthur Reynolds, whose club record of 420 appearances for a number won was only broken by Jim Stannard in the 1990s. Reynolds who spent twenty years at the Cottage was ever-present in his first two seasons after signing from his hometown club Dartford, and helped the Whites reach the FA Cup semi-finals in 2012. He is widely considered to have been very unlucky to have never won an England cap despite being one of the best custodians in the country, playing until the age of 41, and still visiting the Cottage to watch the Whites until his death in 1971.

Also in the eleven was the wonderful Wattie White, who made more than 200 appearances for the Whites, after arriving from Everton. The Scottish international had played in the FA Cup final for Bolton and won two Scottish senior caps during his Goodison Park stint and was an exceptional inside forward, who made two of the Fulham goals at Highbury from inside right, whose technical skills belied his short stature. He would surely have won more international honours were it not for the First World War and continued watching the Whites until he died in Fulham in 1950.

Kelso, whose tenure was dogged by the match-fixing attributed to centre forward Barney Travers, retired after avoiding relegation on the final day of the 1923/24 season when outside left Fred Linfoot's winner beat Stockport County in front of 20,000 and kept the Whites up by a point from Nelson. He became a publican, serving as the popular landlord of both the Grove – now the Grove Tavern in Hammersmith Grove – and the Rising Sun on the Fulham Road, whilst staying in football as the chairman of the Football League Managers and Secretaries Association.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/08/when-fulham-won-at-arsenal/

Arsenal look to make it 9 from 9 against Fulham
Game day 3. Fulham at home.

When the fixture list was announced, it was important we got off to a winning start following our favourable scheduling.

Nottingham Forest (home), Crystal Palace (away) and Fulham (home) looked like a comfortable start to the season. And with 6 points our of 6, we have done what we have needed to do without coming needing to come out of 3rd gear.

I always feel the team that wins the league is not who comes flying out the blocks quickest, but the side that gets through the opening half a dozen fixtures expending the least amount of energy whilst gaining maximum points.

In recent years, we have seen Manchester City have "slow" starts to the season where they do just enough to get through games. Then in the second half of the season they go up and gear before peaking for the run in.

Last season we flew out the blocks, and we needed to do it. But the consequence was when it came down to the business end of the season, we ran out of steam.

This season it certainly feels like we are holding a bit more back. Ensuring we are getting through games without needing to go 100%. And a home fixture against Fulham should see us go 9 out of 9.

Fulham had an exceptional season last year, driven by a 10-games spell from the end of the World Cup to end of February where only Manchester City, Man U and Arsenal got more points. But they finished the season poorly.

From the beginning of March to the end of the season, they fell away and were one of the worst teams in the league – only the 3 relegated sides alongside Chelsea and Nottingham Forest gained more less points from the last 13 games of the season.

I think this season they will struggle (although will stay up).

Losing Aleksandar Mitrovic is a huge blow after he finally learned how to score goals in the Premier League. Recruiting the past-his-best Raul Jimenez is a huge step down – the Mexican has not been the same since suffering a head injury against Arsenal.

Teams will not time them as lightly as last season, which will see midfield pairing Andreas Pereira and João Palhinha get less time on the ball.

They started this season with a ropey 1-nil win over Everton (who I think will go down), and that was followed up by a 3-nil defeat at home to Brentford.

That Brentford game was an interesting watch as it felt like Fulham were in control for much of the game. They were hampered by going down to 10-men after 64 minutes, and Brentfod's second goal was from the penalty spot. Their 3rd was in injury time.

We have only dropped points once since 2012 against Fulham – a 1-1 draw during Covid in April 2021.

That team consisted of Matt Ryan in goal, with Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding and Granit Xhaka in defence alongside Gabriel. The midfield 5 was Bukayo Saka, Dani Ceballos, Mo Elneny, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli. Alex Lacazette was upfront.

It shows how far we have come in a little more than 2 years that you would expect just 3 of those to start.

Win the game, then it is onto Manchester United at home (3 home games in the first 4 of the season?), then we are into the international break.

If we can get into that break with 4 wins from 4, fears that last season might have been a fluke should be diminished.

Enjoy the game today.



https://shewore.com/2023/08/26/arsenal-look-to-make-it-9-from-9-against-fulham/

Sources: Newcastle turn down Fulham approach for Matt Targett as Eddie Howe makes stance on exit clear
Newcastle United have turned down an approach from Fulham to take left-back Matt Targett on loan, TEAMtalk understands.

Fulham are looking hard to bolster their full-back options and have already missed out on numerous targets including the likes of Gonzalo Montiel, who joined Nottingham Forest, and Lewis Hall – who actually joined Newcastle.

Now we can reveal that Fulham have asked about Targett, who has seen his game-time severely limited at St James' Park. Since arriving on Tyneside in January 2022 on an initial loan that later became a permanent £15m move from Aston Villa, Targett has made 35 appearances.

However, just 17 of those came during the entirity of the 2022/23 season, with the 27-year-old falling out of favour somewhat under Eddie Howe.

Indeed, he was limited to just six Premier League starts, with Howe often preferring to play centre-half Dan Burn as a makeshift – albeit an impressive one – left-back.

And now with boyhood Newcastle fan Hall signing on the dotted line on an initial loan but with an obligation to buy for £35m, Targett's chances of seeing action are even more limited.

However, despite Newcastle being well blessed for options at left-back, Howe was quick to say no to Fulham's approach.

Eddie Howe firm over Matt Targett future
Furthermore, we understand that Howe sees Targett as an important member of the squad and has no interest in weakening his options by loaning Targett out.

That will leave the Cottagers having to look elsewhere in their quest to add another left-back option to Marco Silva's squad.

Targett is contracted to St James' Park until summer 2026 and has already spent time on loan at Craven Cottage earlier in his career.

That was back in January 2018, while still at Southampton player. Back then, Targett made 21 appearances for them while they were in the Championship, scoring once.



https://www.teamtalk.com/news/sources-newcastle-turn-down-fulham-matt-targett-approach-eddie-howe-makes-stance-on-exit

Arsenal v Fulham Preview and Predicted Score for London derby clash
Arsenal will play their second London derby this week when we play host to Fulham this afternoon at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners already dispatched of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday, in what proved to be a tough encounter against a speedy counter-attacking side, who adopted to playing long balls, and despite losing Takehiro Tomiyasu to a double-yellow card, were able to hold on for the W.

We've managed to maintain a 100% win rate so far this term, including a penalty shootout win over Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley, and a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest, whose late consolation goal made the scoreline appear closer than the match had played out.

Fulham had also managed to open their account on the opening weekend of the season when earning the 1-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park, but they were brought back to reality when being badly dominated by Brentford at Craven Cottage last weekend, succumbing by a 3-0 scoreline.

You can't help but feel like Arsenal are going to follow suit by getting a comfortable win of their own today, but while we continue to lose left-backs causing us to make yet another change to our starting line-up, I feel like we may well concede. I predict a 4-1 win for our boys today, with an early goal to ignite our hunger and send out a message to our rivals.



https://www.justarsenal.com/arsenal-v-fulham-preview-and-predicted-score-for-london-derby-clash/347185

Why Arsenal vs Fulham isn't on UK TV - Premier League rules explained

Arsenal will be aiming to make it three Premier League victories in a row as they welcome Fulham to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon but supporters will not be able to watch the game

 Arsenal have the chance to make it three consecutive Premier League at the start of the season on Saturday afternoon against Fulham.

The Gunners have so far overcome Nottingham Forest 2-1 in their first home game of the campaign, whilst they also squeezed past Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last weekend. They now welcome Marco Silva's men to North London.

Fans will no doubt be keen to tune into the clash as they go in pursuit of three consecutive wins at the start of the campaign for the second season in a row. Supporters not at the Emirates will be looking forward to switching on the game on TV.

 However, they will be left disappointed after learning that the game is not set to broadcast live across the UK. That is due to the Premier League's 3pm blackout rule - banning games across the country to be broadcast at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon.

The reason for that is to protect attendances across the English football pyramid. The ban was briefly lifted during the two Covid impacted seasons but was very quickly enforced by the authorities once fans returned to stadiums.

Whilst Arsenal fans will be hopeful of another three points on Saturday, the same could certainly be said of Mikel Arteta. The Spaniard has never lost to Fulham during his managerial career.

Asked about that particular statistic during his pre-match press conference, the Arsenal boss replied: "I didn't know that stat so it's something new! Hopefully we can continue that tomorrow. They're a team that creates a lot of challenges and difficulties.

"It happened last year. When we played there and at home we had tough moments. When we won at home it was in the last minute and when we won away we were really good in the first half and had tough moments in the second half. Tomorrow I'm expecting something different."

Following the showdown with Fulham, Arsenal have one more assignment to navigate before the first international break of the campaign. They take on Manchester United at the Emirates next weekend.

That clash is set to take place on Sunday afternoon and will be broadcast on Sky Sports, with kick-off scheduled for 4:30pm. The Gunners are then on TV once again after the international break.

 Arteta's side travel to Everton on Saturday September 16. That game will be available to watch on Sky Sports, with kick-off set for 5:30pm.

The TV games continue to come thick and fast for the Gunners. The North London showdown with Tottenham at the Emirates has been rescheduled for broadcast, with games against Man City and Chelsea set to be broadcast live before the end of October.



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-fulham-premierleague-tv-channel-30790511

Arsenal fans must not underestimate Fulham – Arteta definitely won't.....
It always worries me before any game when the Just Arsenal comments are full of predictions like "We always beat Fulham"; "We will win easily"; "Expect a ton of goals against Fulham"; "Our opponents are weakened right now"; etc, etc.

When we all talk like that, you can be damn sure that we are in for a much tougher game than expected. In fact last season at the Emirates, we only beat Fulham thanks to an 86th minute winner from Gabriel after we had to come back from a goal down. The season before was even worse, where Fulham were winning 1-0 until a Nketiah equaliser in the 97th minute!

So please let us all be a little more realistic and remember the fact that there is no such thing as an easy game in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta obviously knows that, as he made clear in his pre-gane discussion: "I think what Marco and the coaching staff have done is remarkable. The way they played last season, where they finished in the Premier League and especially the way they did it, it was incredible.

"He is a coach that I always admire because they're really well organised, they have really clear ideas of what they want to do, and you can see his team exactly in the way that he wants them. Tomorrow, we're going to have a tough match."

".... as I said, it is a team that creates a lot of challenges and difficulties. It happened last year when we played there and at home and had tough moments. The way we won at home was in the last minute, and away we were really good in the first half but not so good in the second half, so tomorrow I'm expecting something very similar."

So, please, please, don't get carried away if we are not 3-0 up by half-time. Whoever our opponents, the team is still growing in fitness and learning Arteta's new tactical changes.

Please be patient, but we still need to make sure we get the three points!

COYG!



https://www.justarsenal.com/arsenal-fans-must-not-underestimate-fulham-arteta-definitely-wont/347328

Arsenal v Fulham: Preview and Lineup – The Return of the Zinch, Big Gab and Maybe Even the Dancer
Here we go again, folks. PL#3 game is v Fulham and what a fine fixture this is. The Cottagers play fine football under Silva and Arsenal have made a good albeit not convincing start. We had to battle hard for those six points and lean heavily on our defence, but the boys did the job and the points are in the bag.

With the horrible red Mancs coming to the Home of Football next week, we need a really good win today to boost morale. And with two home games in a row (three out of four since the start) we have a great opportunity to build on those early wins. Of course, the biggest risk is to underestimate Silva's men, and with Palhinha returning to Fulham's midfield, they will make it difficult for us.

I wrote in a previous post that our left side is not ticking along as yet. We still miss Granit, and we need much more cohesion between the players there. A lot seems to be going through Bukayo and we have become a bit predictable as a result. Now, with the likely return of the Zinch as left back and possibly Gab Jesus, we should see an improvement, both on the left and through the middle. it has been a bit static until now, and with the added thrust of Zinchenko and movement up-front of Jesus, I think we will be dancing again.

Reading between the lines, I don't think Jesus -the Dancer- will start today, but it is good to know that he is almost fully fit again. Eddie really is the perfect alternative: more of a line-dancer than a specialist in the Charleston, but it works somehow. IF he was any better he would not be our backup CF, and yet he is good enough to do a more than decent job every time he starts. Eddie is also still young and will develop further, so all good.

No Tomiyasu, after a ridiculous double yellow on Monday, probably means another start at right back for Thomas. I am still struggling with playing him there, as I feel he needs to be the back up for Declan Rice, and we all know that Partey is injury-prone. But Arteta knows best of course.

I am hoping that Big Gab will start again and that there is no fall-out between him and the manager. For the rest I expect the same players starting as in previous matches.

Predicted (and hoped for) Lineup:

Ramsdale

White-Tequila-Big Gab-Zinch

——Declan Rice——–

–The Ode—–Havertz–

Bukayo—Eddie—Marti

Come On You Rip Roaring Gunners.



https://bergkampesque.com/2023/08/26/arsenal-v-fulham-preview-and-lineup-the-return-of-the-zinch-big-gab-and-maybe-even-the-dancer/

Everton transfer news as Fulham competition emerges for Beto signature
Fulham are interested in Udinese striker and Everton target Beto, according to Messaggero Veneto.

The Italian news publication reported online (26 August) that the Toffees have made an offer worth £22.3million for the Portuguese striker, although this is not enough for the Serie A side to sell.

And they could now face competition from Premier League rivals Fulham, led by Marco Silva, who like Udinese's 25-year-old forward, is also from Portugal, and could use this link to attract the player to the club.

Silva's side are in need of a new striker after Aleksandar Mitrovic left for Saudi Arabia to join Al Hilal, and the Fulham boss has already rejected a move for Juventus striker Moise Kean.

Pressure
Interest from another Premier League club in Beto will only increase the pressure on Sean Dyche's side to get a deal across the line. If they end up losing out on the player to Fulham, it will leave supporters feeling incredibly frustrated as a new striker is desperately needed at Goodison Park in order to avoid a third consecutive relegation dogfight.

Beto has scored 21 times across his two years in Italy's top flight, proving that he can hit the back of the net consistently at the highest level in Europe, and if he could successfully adapt to life in England, he would be a great bit of business for either of the two clubs interested in him.

It seems as if Everton's approaches are more advanced at this stage, however, with Fabrizio Romano reporting via Twitter (26 August) that the player has "already accepted the move" to the Merseyside-based club.

And they will now want to get a deal across the line swiftly in order to avoid a late hijacking from Fulham.



https://www.goodisonnews.com/2023/08/26/everton-transfer-news-as-fulham-competition-emerges-for-beto-signature/

Tottenham open to Adarabioyo and Dier swap deal with Fulham
Tottenham Hotspur are in negotiations with Fulham over a swap deal involving Tosin Adarabioyo, Eric Dier, and money as Ange Postecoglou looks to bring in defensive reinforcements, according to Football Insider.

The online news portal claims that a move could happen between both London clubs before the transfer deadline day on September 1.

Spurs have been one of the busiest sides in the window so far, having spent £165m on eight new players including James Maddison, Pedro Porro, Micky van de Ven, Dejan Kulusevski, and Guglielmo Vicario

Despite signing two defenders already this summer, Postecoglou remains interested in making a further addition to his defence that kept their first clean sheet of the season against Manchester United last weekend.

The North Londoners conceded too many goals last term which resulted in their 8th-placed finish. Spurs have already conceded two goals in their first two league games of the new season.

Postecoglou is revamping his squad this summer and Dier is deemed surplus to requirements at the club. The England international was not included in Tottenham's matchday squad for their league games against Brentford and Man Utd.

Dier, who has one year left on his remaining contract, has racked up 361 appearances across all competitions, scored 13, and recorded 12 assists.

Defensive reinforcement
Several defenders have been linked with a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Adarabioyo has emerged as a potential transfer target.

Football Insider claims that Tottenham are in talks with Fulham over a player-plus-cash swap deal involving Adarabioyo and Dier, and a move could suit all parties.

The Fulham centre-back has just one year left on his contract and is attracting interest from several clubs including AS Monaco, according to Football Insider. The Ligue 1 giants had an offer rejected by the Cottagers.

The 25-year-old is a key cog of Marco Silva's side and is a fan favourite at Craven Cottage. He has featured in 107 games and made five goal contributions in all competitions. Last season, he was ever-present for Fulham as he made 29 appearances and scored once as they finished 10th in the Premier League table.

He is yet to make feature for the club this season after missing their first two league games against Everton and Brentford. His one-year contract extension with Fulham was activated in January and the club does not want to lose him for free in 12 months' time therefore they are willing to cash in this month.

Adarabioyo is valued at just £14m by Transfermarkt and he'd be an excellent addition to the Tottenham squad if they could get a deal agreed.



https://football-talk.co.uk/190728/tottenham-open-to-adarabioyo-and-dier-swap-deal-with-fulham/

The mighty £25m signing Fulham will replace Aleksander Mitrovic with - according to Football Manager

Where could Fulham turn after the departure of their star striker? La Liga, according to Football Manager 2023

Fulham's search for a replacement for Aleksander Mitrovic is an ongoing process in the real world - but the Cottagers have already made their move in the virtual transfer market.

The Serbian striker was a firm favourite with the Cottagers supporters after plundering his way to 111 goals and 22 assists in 206 appearances during a five-year stay at Craven Cottage. However, with Mitrovic now a thing of the past, thoughts are now turning towards his successor in the lead forward role in Marco Silva's starting eleven.

So, with the help of the world's most popular football management simulation, we see how Football Manager 2023 believes the Cottagers will fare in the absence of their former striker as the virtual Silva heads to La Liga to find his new striker.

Villarreal star Gerard Moreno was persuaded to swap life aboard the Yellow Submarine for a move to the Premier League as Silva saw off competition from Aston Villa, Everton and Manchester United to land the 17-times capped Spain international in a £25million deal - and he didn't take long to make an impact.

A debut from the bench - but goals and starts soon followed
After finding the net on four occasions in pre-season, Moreno had to be content with a place on the bench as the Cottagers got their season underway with a promising 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. However, the Spain star was named in Silva's starting line-up for the first home game of the season as Everton visited Craven Cottage and he rewarded his new manager with the only goal of the game.

Surprisingly, Fulham only lost one of their opening 13 Premier League games with Moreno on four occasions. Their momentum was somewhat stunted by the fact they also only won three of those fixtures as they became the draw specialists with nine draws. The highlights for Moreno were the winning goal in a 2-1 home victory against west London rivals Chelsea and a dramatic late strike that have his side all three points at Aston Villa.

A slump in form for Moreno and his side
As October turns to November, Moreno's attempts to continue making an impact were hindered by a groin injury he suffered in a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United. During his month-long absence both Raul Jiminez and Carlos Vinicius found the net but they were unable to inspire their side to a win as the Cottagers emerged pointless from away days at West Ham, Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers as well as home games with Manchester City and Brentford.

That run of form took Fulham on to the verge of a relegation battle by the time Moreno recovered to regain his place in Silva's side ahead of a Boxing Day visit to Brighton and Hove Albion.

New year, new promise
Boosted by the return of their £25m man, Fulham enjoyed an upturn in form as Moreno netted in an FA Cup third round win at Championship club Preston North End and a fourth round win at Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest. The striker also scored as Spurs were condemned to a 3-2 defeat in a league game at Craven Cottage and February began with another goal in another 3-2 win as Everton were beaten on their home patch.

Toffees revenge but an unbeaten run saves the season
After watching on from the bench as Fulham made their way into the FA Cup quarter-final with a win at Blackburn Rovers, Moreno found the net in successive league games as his side battled their way to a share of the spoils in draws with Liverpool and Brighton. However, his goal in the FA Cup quarter-final was not enough to send his side into the last four as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at Everton just weeks after beating the Toffees at Goodison Park.

With relegation concerns lingering over them as the final six weeks of the season approached, Moreno hit form with a brace in a 5-0 hammering of Bournemouth and single strikes in wins against Brentford, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest that took the Cottagers into the safety of mid-table.

A promising first season in West London was rounded off by an late equaliser against Manchester City and a goal in a 2-2 final day draw with Arsenal. That meant Moreno ended the campaign with 18 goals and two assists in 36 appearances in all competitions.



https://www.3addedminutes.com/sport/football/fulham/the-ps25m-signing-fulham-will-replace-aleksander-mitrovic-with-according-to-football-manager-4269789

Liverpool put move for Brazil star on ice until January as Fulham transfer 'opens door' to top target
Liverpool are ready to turn their attention back to Ryan Gravenberch after having multiple bids for Andre rejected by Fluminense, according to reports.

The Reds made the perfect start to the summer transfer window with the additions of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister to cover the losses of Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who left on free transfers at the end of June.

But it was the unexpected departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabia that saw Jurgen Klopp dip into the transfer market again to bring in Wataru Endo from Stuttgart in an £18m deal.

And Klopp and his Liverpool recruitment team are not done there yet with strong rumours that they are still hoping to bring in one more midfielder and a centre-back before the transfer deadline.

Fluminense midfielder Andre and Bayern Munich's Gravenberch have been particularly heavily linked over the last couple of weeks with reports of bids lodged for both players.

A report in ESPN earlier this week claimed that Fluminense have turned down a €30m (£26m) bid from Liverpool for Andre and that 'even if they up the offer' for the Brazil international 'they would not allow to player to depart now'.

Speaking about the Liverpool rumours, Andre told Globo Esporte: "It is obvious that it is normal to receive offers. Even more so with the team doing well, getting through in the Copa Libertadores, near the top of the Brasileirao.

"Not just for me, but it must have gotten to others as well. I am happy for the proposals that arrive, but my mind today is focused 100 percent on Fluminense."

And now Football Insider insists that Liverpool 'could now sign Andre in January' after seeing 'multiple bids' rejected this summer with Fluminense 'unwilling to sell'.

The report adds:

    'Fluminense are only willing to sell Andre in January as they look to give themselves the best possible chance of winning the prestigious trophy for the first-ever time.

    'But Liverpool are keen to rectify their midfield shortcomings as soon as possible and are likely to look elsewhere before the summer window shuts.'

In another report, Football Insider add that Bayern Munich are 'planning a move for Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha as they prepare to offload Liverpool target Ryan Gravenberch'.

It is understood that the Bundesliga champions 'will use the funds from Gravenberch's proposed sale to make a move for Palhinha' and that the 'door opens' for Liverpool to swoop for the Netherlands international.



https://www.football365.com/news/liverpool-andre-fluminense-january-fulam-palhinha-bayern-munich-gravenberch

Tottenham could offer versatile ace to sweeten the deal for 25-year-old target
Tottenham Hotspur are hoping to sign the Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo.

As per Football Insider, they could offer Eric Dier in exchange for the 25-year-old along with some cash. Adarabioyo is in the final year of his contract with Fulham and he is expected to move on this summer.

Tottenham need to improve their defensive options and the Englishman could prove to be a quality acquisition. They had a vulnerable defence last year and they conceded 63 goals in the league.

They will have to improve defensively if they want to get back into the Champions League. Signing a quality central defender should be a top priority for them.

Spurs already have Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero as reliable defenders and they should look to add more quality and depth to the position.

Adarabioyo is well-settled in the Premier League and he could make an immediate impact at Tottenham if the transfer goes through.

Meanwhile, Eric Dier is in the final year of his contract with Tottenham as well. The versatile England international can operate as a right-back, central defender, as well as a defensive midfielder.

Spurs want to cash in on him this summer as opposed to losing him for free next year. If Tottenham can convince Fulham to accept Dier as a part of the deal for Adarabioyo, it would help save them some money while bringing in an upgrade.

The 29-year-old Tottenham defender was quite mediocre last season and it makes sense for the north London outfit to cash in on him.



https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/08/26/tottenham-could-offer-versatile-ace-to-sweeten-the-deal-for-25-year-old-target/

Wing-back Steven Sessegnon joins Wigan Athletic from Fulham
Wigan Athletic has announced the signing of wing-back Steven Sessegnon on a two-year contract, subject to EFL and FA approval.

Sessegnon, who is the twin brother of Tottenham Hotspur's Ryan Sessegnon, arrives at the DW Stadium from Premier League side Fulham.

The 23-year-old made a string of impressive performances last season following a loan spell with fellow Sky Bet League One side Charlton Athletic, where he played more than 30 games.

Hailing from Roehampton, Sessegnon went through the youth ranks of Fulham and made his professional debut in an EFL Cup defeat to Bristol Rovers in 2017.

He went on to make 19 appearances in all competitions for the Cottagers, with the majority of those coming in the Sky Bet Championship.

He then had successful loan spells at Bristol City, Plymouth Argyle and most recently Charlton Athletic.

Sessegnon has represented England at all youth levels and featured five times for England in the U17 World Cup in India, including a start in the final, as England lifted the silverware.

He scored his first international goal for England U19s against Moldova, before he was included in the England U21 squad for the first time in 2019, making his debut during the 3–2 U21 Euro qualifying win against Turkey.

Sessegnon is predominantly a right wing-back, but he spent the majority of his loan spell at Charlton Athletic at left wing-back.

He will now link up with Shaun Maloney's squad, becoming the club's ninth signing of the summer transfer window.

Sessegnon said: "I am very happy and very excited to be here. I can't wait to meet everyone – players, fans and staff. I can't wait to get going.

"The manager played a big part in my move. The way he sets out his team and how he said I would fit into it, is what I found perfect for myself, for my development and for my career.

"I can bring a lot to the team not just on the right side, but on the left as well. I had a good year playing on the left side last year so hopefully I can continue that good form here.

"I can grow as a player not just individually, but help the club grow as well and I look forward to everything that comes with playing for Wigan Athletic."

First team manager Shaun Maloney said: "I am pleased that Steven has decided to join our club.

"Steven has all the attributes that our team needs in both full-back positions. He is aggressive when defending one-on-one and is technically very good when in possession.

"He has experience both at a Premier League club in Fulham, as well as playing in the Championship and League One. I am convinced Steven has the potential to develop further and I look forward to working with him.

"Steven will spend the coming weeks doing conditioning work and integrating into full training, so I look forward to seeing him in a Wigan Athletic shirt in September."

Sessegnon will wear the number five shirt and will be welcomed to the DW Stadium crowd at half-time during Latics' home clash with Barnsley on Saturday.



https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/football/wing-back-steven-sessegnon-joins-wigan-athletic-from-fulham-4269985

Many hats! Tony Khan leads AEW to historic Wembley Stadium wrestling show with over 80,000 tickets sold... all while handling the final week of the transfer window as Director of Football for Fulham and helping run an NFL franchise Jacksonville Jaguars

    There aren't enough hours in the day for Fulhams Director of Football Khan
    All Elite Wrestling are putting on a record-breaking wrestling show at Wembley

There aren't enough hours in the day for Tony Khan. Fulham head to Arsenal this Saturday with just under a week to go in the transfer window where as Director of Football, Khan, is tasked with replacing talisman Aleksandr Mitrovic following his departure to the riches of Saudi Arabia.

Seems like a good time to put on a record-breaking professional wrestling show at Wembley in front of 80,000-plus fans then, right?

All Elite Wrestling, Khan's nearly five-year old wrestling promotion, is making its debut in the UK this weekend and they couldn't have possibly done it any bigger.

World Wrestling Entertainment, the market leader in pro wrestling, have held successful shows at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and The O2 in London in the past 12 months, but neither of those events will touch the attendance at Wembley on Sunday.

With the UK a booming market for the genre, AEW have long been keen to make their mark in it. COVID put paid to their original idea of a muti-show, multi-city tour in 2020, but the continued progress of their weekly TV shows and quarterly pay-per-views has garnered them a lucrative TV deal in America.

(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/26/13/74748069-12448043-image-a-1_1693051298772.jpg)
There aren't enough hours in the day for Tony Khan, who is hosting a wrestling show at Wembley
 
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/26/13/74748075-12448043-image-a-2_1693051301688.jpg)
The Fulham Director of Football is also overseeing transfer business this summer
 
(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/26/13/74748389-12448043-image-a-3_1693051654329.jpg)
Aleksandar Mitrovic made his move to Al-Hilal this summer and Fulham seek a replacement

With that comes business stability. Even so, the Khan family's pockets are deep enough to start 10 wrestling promotions should they choose to; earlier this year, his father Shad Khan - who co-owns the company with son Tony - was reported to have a net worth of over £9.5b.

But this is no passion project or fun on the side - it's a business. AEW made just over £79m for 2022 and Khan revealed earlier this year that with the launch of their Saturday show Collision, the company would be paid per show by Warner Brothers Discovery.

So it's understandable the confidence Khan would have to take on Wembley for his first wrestling venture on UK soil, the scene of the legendary SummerSlam event in 1992 that hasn't hosted the profession since.

But he can't afford to have tunnel vision like most of us. Khan not only operates as a key decision maker at a Premier League club, he is also the chief football strategy officer for NFL franchise, the Jacksonville Jaguars - also owned by his father.

The Jaguars made the playoffs for the first time in four years last season and Khan is thought to be a leading thinker behind their analytics team. Fulham bounced back to the Premier League last season and their recruitment department made immense strides compared to their previous efforts in the top-flight.

That turnaround saw them finish 10th in England's top-tier, their best finish in 11 years. Considering all of his projects are carrying tangible momentum, it's admirable to see AEW achieve such a landmark moment so early in their existence; let alone the justification of a near sell-out.

Legendary names like Chris Jericho, Sting, Big Show, Bryan Danielson and CM Punk have all been seduced by Khan's new vision for a major pro wrestling company and all but the injured Danielson are in town to make history in London.

(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/26/13/74748343-12448043-image-a-4_1693051756846.jpg)
Legendary names like Chris Jericho will take to Wembley Stadium for the show

The card will be headlined by the engrossing duo of Adam Cole and company centrepiece, MJF. The pair have gone from bitter rivals to best friends, but now the AEW World Championship stands between them reverting back to their previous hatred.

From a British perspective, Will Ospreay faces off in a first-time ever dream match with industry giant, Jericho.

Ospreay, a 30-year-old from Essex who has dominated Japan over the past seven years, is arguably the best in-ring performer in the entire industry.

It's perhaps today's best versus one of the all-time greats in which Ospreay, revered the world over for his performances inside the ropes, showcases his talents on the biggest stage of his career yet - and there is no talents more deserving.

Nearly selling-out Wembley (and there'll probably shift more tickets on the day) feels like the crescendo of a story.

The apex of a journey with an exclamation point, too. Except, it's the opposite. It's a testament to what AEW has managed to build in a matter of years. It's a statement of what the company is capable of for anyone unaware.

(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/26/13/74748341-12448043-image-a-5_1693051760363.jpg)
CM Punk will also take to the ring at Wembley Stadium this weekend

WWE is the market leader and a global powerhouse. They have over 40 years worth of foundations that have led them to the record profits we see today (and their hottest product in years spearheaded by the fantastic Bloodline story).

But AEW has always felt like a company for the fans. It started with All In back in 2018 where The Elite - Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks and, at the time, Cody Rhodes - decided to prove journalist Dave Meltzer wrong and draw over 10,000 people to an independently run show.

Khan, seeing the traction The Elite had with die-hard wrestling fans, the merchandise they were able to move and the wealth of talent operating outside of WWE, decided to finally follow through on his dream of running his own promotion with those five performers installed as executive vice presidents.

Rhodes would head back to WWE in 2022 to follow his own dream of becoming their world champion, but the momentum of AEW has never relented.

Khan's meticulous nature and incessant drive has served him well in changing the fortunes of the Jaguars and Fulham; ironically, the evidence is in the data. But his boyhood passion for wrestling is what could push AEW past them both.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/wwe/article-12448043/Tony-Khan-Elite-Wrestling-Wembley-Fulham.html