Thursday Fulham Stuff - 27/08/26...

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Fulham vs Wimbledon: Preview and Prediction
Fulham welcome London rivals AFC Wimbledon to Craven Cottage for their EFL Cup second-round clash, with both sides looking for a confidence-boosting result after difficult starts to their respective league campaigns.

Alvaro Arbeloa is still settling into life as Fulham manager, while Wimbledon arrive without an outright victory this season. The difference in quality between the squads makes the Premier League hosts clear favourites, although significant rotation could give the visitors some hope of causing an upset.

Fulham's transition under Arbeloa remains a work in progress. The Cottagers have won two of their last five outings but began their Premier League campaign with a disappointing 3-2 home defeat against Chelsea. There were encouraging attacking moments, but defensive vulnerabilities ultimately prevented them from taking anything from the contest.

One major positive was the performance of Gonzalo Garcia. Fulham's record signing marked his debut with a goal, while Joshua King was also on the scoresheet. Their contributions showed that Arbeloa possesses enough attacking quality to trouble opponents, even if finding the right balance between attack and defence remains an early challenge.

Wednesday's cup tie represents an excellent opportunity for the new manager to assess the depth of his squad. Several regular starters could be rested, with players such as Ryan Sessegnon expected to receive opportunities. Nevertheless, Fulham should still field a side containing considerably more top-level experience than their League One opponents.

The Dons have drawn three and lost one of their opening four competitive fixtures and therefore arrive at Craven Cottage without an outright victory this season and their biggest concern has been finding the net.

Wimbledon are yet to score in League One this term, highlighting the attacking problems Johnnie Jackson must solve. Creating opportunities against Premier League defenders represents an even greater challenge, regardless of how heavily Fulham rotate. However, Wimbledon have already demonstrated considerable resilience in this competition.

Their first-round meeting with Newport County appeared to be slipping away before Callum Maycock scored a dramatic 97th-minute equaliser. The Dons subsequently held their nerve in the penalty shootout to secure their place in round two. That experience should give them some belief that they can remain competitive even if Wednesday's contest becomes difficult.

Rotation provides Wimbledon with some hope as Arbeloa is expected to make several changes following Fulham's demanding Premier League fixture against Chelsea. That could slightly reduce the gulf between the teams, particularly during the opening stages.

Wimbledon's clearest route towards an upset will be maintaining a compact defensive shape, frustrating Fulham and attempting to exploit set pieces or counter-attacking opportunities. The longer they keep the score level, the greater the pressure could become on a much-changed Fulham side.

The hosts should also approach the competition seriously. With Fulham unlikely to compete for the Premier League title, domestic cup competitions provide a realistic opportunity to pursue silverware. An early elimination at home to lower-league opposition would therefore represent a significant disappointment. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.

Team News & Tactics

Fulham
Alvaro Arbeloa is expected to make substantial changes for Fulham's EFL Cup meeting with AFC Wimbledon after Monday's demanding 3-2 Premier League defeat to Chelsea. Ryan Sessegnon, Rodrigo Muniz, Harrison Reed, and Shea Charles were all substitutes in that game and are among those pushing for starts.

In terms of injury and suspension news, captain Tom Cairney remains sidelined with a knee injury and is not expected back until later in the autumn. Joachim Andersen served the final match of his three-game suspension against Chelsea and is available again for the cup tie, although Arbeloa could still use the fixture to give minutes to other defensive options.

Fulham are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Benjamin Lecomte replacing Bernd Leno in goal. Kenny Tete should start at right-back, with Jorge Cuenca and Luc De Fougerolles forming the central defensive partnership and Ryan Sessegnon operating at left-back. Sessegnon came off the bench against Chelsea and should provide considerably more attacking width if handed a start.

Shea Charles and Harrison Reed should form the central midfield double pivot. Reed offers experience and defensive discipline, while Charles can provide energy and help Fulham progress possession from deeper positions.

Further forward, Kevin should operate from the right wing, with Joshua King occupying the central number 10 position and Emile Smith Rowe starting from the left. King scored against Chelsea and could be particularly dangerous when receiving possession between Wimbledon's midfield and defence.

Rodrigo Muniz is expected to lead the line as the centre-forward. His physical presence should provide Fulham with a clear focal point against lower-league opposition, while Sessegnon and Tete can look to supply him from wide areas.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Lecomte; Tete, Cuenca, De Fougerolles, Sessegnon; Charles, Reed; Kevin, King, Smith Rowe; Muniz

Wimbledon
Wimbledon are likely to stick with Johnnie Jackson's familiar 3-5-2 formation for the difficult trip to Craven Cottage. The Dons have struggled for goals at the start of their League One campaign, so their approach should be based around defensive compactness, wing-back width and attempting to create opportunities from transitions and set pieces.

In terms of injury and suspension news, Wimbledon currently have no confirmed unavailable players, giving Jackson a healthy squad from which to select his team. Veteran defender Andy Yiadom is available and could make his full debut, while Callum Maycock and Aron Sasu are among those pushing for inclusion.

Joe McDonnell is expected to start in goal, with Andy Yiadom, Dan Sweeney, and Ryan Johnson forming the three-man defence. Yiadom should operate on the right side of the back three, Sweeney centrally and Johnson from the left. Their organisation will be particularly important against Fulham's technically superior attacking players.

Steven Sessegnon should operate as the right wing-back, while Steve Seddon is expected on the left. Both will need to drop alongside the defence when Fulham dominate possession, effectively turning Wimbledon's system into a five-man backline. Interestingly, Sessegnon began his professional career at Fulham and could now face his former club.

In central midfield, Alistair Smith should provide energy and defensive discipline, with Callum Maycock and Zack Nelson operating alongside him. Maycock will enter the contest with confidence after scoring the dramatic 97th-minute equaliser against Newport County that helped Wimbledon take their first-round tie to penalties.

Further forward, Marcus Browne and Aron Sasu are expected to form the two-man attack. Browne can drop into deeper positions to help connect midfield and attack, while Sasu's mobility should give Wimbledon an outlet when they recover possession and attempt to counter quickly.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): McDonnell; Yiadom, Sweeney, Johnson; Sessegnon, Smith, Maycock, Nelson, Seddon; Browne, Sasu

Key Stats

    Wimbledon are still searching for their first outright competitive win of the season.
    Wimbledon are yet to score in League One this season, drawing 0-0 with Reading after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Huddersfield Town.
    Wimbledon needed penalties to reach the second round, progressing after a 1-1 draw with Newport County in which Callum Maycock struck a dramatic late equaliser.
    Fulham have lost only one of their last six competitive Premier League home matches, with their most recent home league outing producing a narrow 3-2 defeat to Chelsea.
    Wimbledon have failed to win any of their last six matches across all competitions and friendlies, recording three draws and three defeats during that sequence.

Player to Watch

Joshua King
Joshua King is the player to watch for Fulham after making an impressive start to the new campaign. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder scored Fulham's first goal of the Premier League season in their narrow 3-2 defeat to Chelsea, demonstrating his composure against elite opposition.

Expected to operate as the number 10 behind Rodrigo Muniz, King should find plenty of opportunities to receive possession between Wimbledon's midfield and defensive lines. His close control, movement and willingness to carry the ball forward could be particularly effective against a compact 3-5-2 setup.

With Alvaro Arbeloa likely to rotate his squad, this cup tie also represents another opportunity for King to establish himself as an increasingly important part of Fulham's attack. His confidence should be high after scoring against Chelsea, and he has the technical quality to unlock Wimbledon if the visitors defend deep.

Prediction

Fulham 3-0 AFC Wimbledon
Cup ties between Premier League and lower-league opposition can occasionally produce surprises, particularly when the stronger team makes numerous changes. Wimbledon's resilience against Newport demonstrated that they should not be dismissed entirely, and Johnnie Jackson will undoubtedly set his team up to frustrate Fulham for as long as possible. However, the visitors' lack of goals represents a major problem.

Fulham should control possession and create enough opportunities to eventually break through, while their superior squad depth gives Alvaro Arbeloa numerous options if the contest remains tight. Wimbledon may keep things competitive during the opening stages, but Fulham's quality should eventually tell and allow the Cottagers to progress comfortably.



https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2026/08/26/fulham-vs-wimbledon-preview-and-prediction/

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Arbeloa hints at pre-deadline Fulham signings
Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has again hinted that Fulham could do some late business ahead of next week's transfer deadline.

The Spaniard took charge of his first Premier League game with the Whites on Monday, narrowly losing to Chelsea.

Fulham owner Shahid Khan was at Craven Cottage alongside his son, Fulham's director of football Tony Khan, for the west London derby.

And Arbeloa confirmed that discussions took place after the game about potential signings.

"The owners – they are fully committed to the project and we were discussing that maybe we can make the squad a little bit stronger and more balanced, and we know that there is room to improve," said Arbeloa.

"I'm happy with my players, my squad. I'm happy with the work of the club and the owners. They have already done amazing work in this window. Let's see what we can do."

Tony Khan told Talksport on Monday night that he was keen to further add to the squad.

He said: "I'm still looking and I will still do business in this window, absolutely.

"I am definitely working to do more Fulham business in this transfer window. It's something we will continue to talk about."



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/arbeloa-hints-at-pre-deadline-fulham-signings

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Five players who need to feature against AFC Wimbledon
This should be treated as an extra preseason game.

Monday's loss is firmly in the rearview, but 90 minutes just aren't enough to answer all my questions about this new-look Fulham side.

Thankfully, we don't have to wait long for our next trip to the Cottage and while normally I'd say the second round of the League Cup is the perfect excuse to play the kids, our first team is now mostly kids. And as such, there are a bunch of players I want to take another look at - from the Riverside, of course. It is the second round of the League Cup, after all.

1. Cesar Palacios
There's an exciting - and potentially vital - player in Palacios, but he didn't have the best night on Monday.

That's not to say there weren't flashes of what he could achieve in white this season. And he's young enough and fit enough to play double duty this week.

His performance against Stuttgart got everyone talking, and in fact his whole preseason saw him shed his initial tag as "one for the future".

Kevin is waiting in the wings, of course, an there's a strong argument to start him against the Dons to build his confidence. But if Cesar is Arbeloa's man, then his confidence probably comes first.

2. Rodrigo Muniz
Speaking of confidence, Gonzalo got his debut goal on Monday, and ran about so much he could do with resting up ahead of our trip to the Stadium of Light.

Rodri endured a horrid campaign last time out, netting just once. More than that, he lost his sparkle a bit when he got his (sporadic) chances towards the end of the season.

But, lest we forget, it was the arrival of Armando Broja in January 2024 that gave Muniz a kick up the backside and sparked his purple patch. Giving him a run out against League One Wimbledon could give us two firing strikers - wouldn't that be nice?

3. Shea Charles
We can all agree that Berge and Iwobi didn't work against Chelsea. It's clear that Shea is the chosen man in the middle this term, he just needs to get up to match fitness. Enter the Carabao Cup .

Despite his comments to the contrary, Sander doesn't seem to want to change and adapt to the Arbeloa era; we saw the exact same shot-shy, progression-resistant midfield passenger we endured under Marco Silva. Meanwhile, Charles is three times more likely to get the ball and drive forward than Berge, according to his stats last term.

I said on the pod this week that my jaw wouldn't drop if Berge left during this window, so Thursday feels the perfect time to throw Charles in from the start.

4. Joachim Andersen
I'm increasingly convinced that Joa's red card against Bournemouth was the death knell of his Fulham career. But he deserves a shot at redemption.

His suspension following the season-destroying loss to the Cherries came at the worst time, as he had to endure preseason knowing he wouldn't be playing against Chelsea in the season opener. That's allowed AA's compatriot Jorge Cuenca to step in as de facto starting RCB.

But Cuenca's less-than-impressive outing against Chelsea opens the door for Joa, despite reports that we'll offload him before Septemebr if the opportunity presents itself. But, for now, we need to see what we're working with.

5. Kenny Tete
If reports are to be believed, Fulham are in the market for a new right-back.

On the surface, it's a bit of a head-scratcher. Timothy Castagne appears reborn under Arbeloa, thriving with his "licence to kill". And Kenny Tete is still regarded as one of the more adept RBs in the league.

But both men are 30 years old - and in this era of youth, there doesn't appear to be room for both of them, ancient as they are.

So, I guess this is a more sentimental inclusion. If we are entering the final couple of weeks of Kenny' stay in "SW6, I'd love to see him one more time.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/p/five-players-who-need-to-feature

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SDS London to sponsor Wimbledon sleeve v Fulham
AFC Wimbledon are proud to announce that SDS London will be the Sleeve Sponsor for our Carabao Cup second round tie against Fulham.

This is a one-off sleeve sponsorship, which follows on from Bark Group's one-off sleeve sponsorship in the first round victory over Newport County.

Located on 20 Weir Rd, London SW19 8UG, a stone's throw from the Cherry Red Records Stadium, SDS London have become one of the UK's leading suppliers of architectural ironmongery - with nearly 40 years of expertise.

Their commitment to quality, innovation, and outstanding customer service has made them one of the go-to partners for tradespeople, homeowners, and industry professionals alike.

SDS London have been long-standing supporters and sponsors of Wimbledon, most-recently sponsoring the opening home game of the 2026/27 EFL League One season against Reading.

They are also the Club's official Player and Goal of the Month sponsors for the Men's and Women's first-team sides.



Samantha Thatcher, Sales & Marketing Manager at SDS London, said: "We're incredibly proud to be the Sleeve Sponsor for AFC Wimbledon's Carabao Cup tie against Fulham.

"Our partnership with AFC Wimbledon feels like a natural fit, built on shared values and a strong sense of community.

"It's an exciting fixture for everyone connected with the Club, and seeing the SDS London name on the players' sleeves at Craven Cottage will be a very special moment for our entire team.

"We wish the Dons the very best of luck and look forward to continuing our support throughout the season."

Andrew Stead, Head of Commercial at AFC Wimbledon added: "We're really grateful to SDS London for their fantastic support this season.

"As a fan owned Club, we are proud to align with an employee-owned business, due to our shared values.

"As this partnership continues to grow, it is great to wear the branding of SDS London on our sleeve for our exciting fixture at Craven Cottage.

"Thanks to Simon, Sam and their amazing team for their continued support!"

To find out more about SDS London, click here to visit their website.



https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2026/august/26/sds-london-sponsor-wimbledon-sleeve-fulham-carabao-cup-second-round/

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Sess v Sess: The Carabao Cup subplot
Steven Sessegnon returns to Motspur Park to chat with his twin brother Ryan about their upbringing at Fulham, and potentially facing each other as rivals for the first time in Thursday's South-West London derby.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zga0Q8oJQJQ



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/august/26/sess-v-sess-the-carabao-cup-subplot/

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Newport County sign Matt Dibley-Dias on loan from Fulham | Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County is pleased to announce the signing of midfielder Matt Dibley-Dias on loan from Premier League club Fulham, subject to clearance.

The twenty-two-year-old joins County on a short-term agreement, adding further options and experience to Hayden Mullins' midfield.

Dibley-Dias joined Fulham's academy at the age of fourteen and progressed through the club's youth system before signing his first professional contract in 2021.

The midfielder was named Fulham's Johnny Haynes Academy Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season and has also gained EFL experience with Northampton Town in League One and Chesterfield in League Two.

His move to Rodney Parade will also see him reunite with County manager Hayden Mullins, who previously worked with Dibley-Dias during his time as Fulham Under-21s head coach.

Welcome to Newport, Matt!



https://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/newport-county-sign-matt-dibley-dias-loan-fulham

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Newport sign Dibley-Dias on loan from Fulham


Matt Dibley-Dias was born in New Zealand, joining Fulham aged 14

Newport County have signed Fulham midfielder Matt Dibley-Dias on a short-term loan.
he 22-year-old is reunited with Hayden Mullins, the Exiles head coach who was previously in charge of Fulham's under-21 side.

Dibley-Dias, Newport's 11th signing this summer, made 31 appearances across two seasons under Mullins and was part of the side that lifted the Premier League Cup in 2023-24.

Since joining Fulham at the age of 14, Dibley-Dias has also been named in first-team matchday squads on four occasions for the Cottagers.

The midfielder signed his first professional contract in 2021 and is highly-thought of among Fulham's academy having won Johnny Haynes Academy Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season.

Dibley-Dias spent last season out on loan, featuring five times for League Two side Chesterfield during the first half of the campaign before joining National League outfit Braintree Town, where he made eight appearances - contributing one assist.

He also had a loan spell at Northampton Town in 2024-25.

His arrival provides Mullins with further midfield competition following the summer additions of Harrison Biggins and Kieron Evans.

He will hope to help County build on their positive start to League Two and could make his debut when Mullins' team host Tranmere Rovers at Rodney Parade on Saturday (15:00 BST).



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4gr0xdlk8zo

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Pre-Wimbledon Press Conference

Álvaro Arbeloa hopes Fulham's match against AFC Wimbledon on Thursday night is the first Carabao Cup fixture in a run that culminates in us lifting the trophy.

"It's a great opportunity for us, for sure," our Head Coach said. "It's another competition that we have a chance to make our impact and, of course, it's a big opportunity for many of our players.

"But yes, we will try to win that competition, for sure. This is the target. I think it's not just our target, for sure Wimbledon wants to win the competition, too, and we need to play with that ambition."

In his pre-match press conference, Arbeloa was asked about the role of some players who did not start against Chelsea – namely Kenny Tete and Rodrigo Muniz.

"Yes, Kenny will play tomorrow, and yes, I'm happy with him," Arbeloa confirmed. "He has been working so hard, and I know that he is a player with a lot of experience, and he can help us in a lot of ways.

"He's very good player, so I'm happy with him. And yes, he will have his opportunity tomorrow.

"We need Rodrigo, for sure. For sure we will need him. Obviously, it's not about Rodri or Gonzalo, César and Emile, or about Josh and Oscar, or – I don't know – Shea and Sander.

"So, yes, it's very important. The squad, they need to fight for a place in the 11 starters, and that is very important for me as a manager."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/august/26/pre-wimbledon-press-conference/

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Johnnie Jackson on Fulham, Marcus Browne and Álvaro Arbeloa
AFC Wimbledon Manager Johnnie Jackson has talked up the Dons' desire to cause an upset in the Carabao Cup against Fulham on Thursday night.

The men in yellow and blue head to Craven Cottage in the second round of the competition on 27 August (8pm kick-off), bidding to reach the third round for the first time since the 2024/25 season.

Set to be roared on by a packed out Wimbledon away following, Jackson is of full belief that an upset can be caused against the Premier League outfit.

Here the manager provides an update on preparations for the game, discusses the signing of Harry Cornick, Marcus Browne's role in the side and Álvaro Arbeloa's tactical approach.

ON FULHAM...
"There's belief amongst the group. Obviously, we understand how difficult the game's going to be. They've got huge talent all over the pitch. Whatever side they put out, we're going to be up against it. It's a great challenge for us off the back of the weekend. We came out of the Reading game in a positive manner. We defended really well and we're going to similarly face long periods without the ball on Thursday.

"We believe we can frustrate Fulham and really make it difficult for them. You need a bit of luck in these games. And then when opportunities come our way, we have to be clinical. We've shown in the past with the games away at Chelsea and Newcastle United that we can run, block and fight with this level of opposition. We have strategies in place for how we'll stay in it and then we'll see where that takes us."

ON THE ROLE OF THE TRAVELLING WIMBLEDON FANS...
"I can't wait to see it, to be honest - to see that whole stand packed out with Wimbledon fans will be special. I think it's going to be a really good night for the Club, a really good atmosphere. But we don't just want to go there and make the numbers up. We really want to go there and give a good account of ourselves, have a go and try and knock them out."

ON ÁLVARO ARBELOA...
"You can see what he's trying to do. He wants them to be expansive. They want to try and dominate the ball as well. I think they had more possession than Chelsea on Monday night. They're really, really attacking with their full-backs. They've got a lot of rotations out wide and they want to try and pull you out of position. It was good for me to be there (at the Fulham vs Chelsea game), see it live, see what Fulham are trying to do, but also try and work out if they've got any weaknesses that we can exploit."

ON HARRY CORNICK...
"He's really keen to get going again because he had his loan last season and it was cut short just when he started to get going. So, yes, he's a player with huge experience, great character. So, again, going to be good for the changing room. But I think he can be a real asset for us with his know-how on the pitch, with his willingness to run forward, get in behind the opposition and hopefully score some goals."

ON MARCUS BROWNE...
"Yes, it's something that we think about, that we look at (moving Browne back into midfield). We want to get as many attacking players as we can on the pitch without giving up, being defensively solid. But we dropped him back at half-time on Saturday (against Reading) into a bit of a deeper role and he'd done a brilliant job for the team without the ball and nearly created some moments.

"We just couldn't quite get that final opportunity to get the goal. But he's a player that wants to work hard for the team. He wants to create. We've used him in those forward areas before because we felt like we've had to. But, obviously, he's a creator as well. So we have to look at not just the people on the end of the chances, but the people who are going to provide the chances as well and we know that Browney can be one of those."



https://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/2026/august/26/johnnie-jackson-on-fulham--harry-cornick-/

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Arbeloa wants Fulham to entertain – but demands defensive solidity
The boss stresses the importance of balance in the recipe for success this term.

Alvaro Arbeloa's first competitive game in charge of Fulham left us with the feeling that this is going to be far from a dull season.

Fulham pressed aggressively high during Monday night's 3-2 defeat by Chelsea and produced some scintillating attacks – but the approach also left them incredibly vulnerable at the back.

Joao Pedro's 32nd-second opener came after just a couple of simple passes freed the Brazilian, with the Whites committing men forward from the first whistle. Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer also profited from Chelsea's ability to play through the press.

But there was another side to Fulham's approach. Josh King's equaliser came after a neat one-two with Timothy Castagne, following a slick team move, before he punished Robert Sanchez's dire positioning.

Gonzalo Garcia's debut goal came after Castagne bombed forward from right-back to latch on to Jorge Cuenca's raking pass – an ambitious route Arbeloa's side utilised throughout. And but for a tame finish from Antonee Robinson, it almost produced a dramatic late equaliser.

Arbeloa insisted that while winning is the number one priority, playing a brand of football that is entertaining and makes the supporters proud is essential.

"We have been talking about what is a successful season and obviously it is about winning games," he said ahead of Fulham's Carabao clash with AFC Wimbledon.

"It is about improving my players and improving my squad. But it is also about our fans enjoying watching us. For me, it is very important and I want to play in a way that they can enjoy with us.

"Also, I think they have to be proud of us, with our players, how they run, how they fight until the end. It was the first game of the season and you can see how we fought and how we ran throughout the game.

"It was an amazing effort from our players. It is something that I want to see every game. I am not going to say that it is easy to run in that way in a game against Chelsea, the first game of the season.

"I want to see it every week. It doesn't matter if it is a London derby. I want to see that effort every week."

After the opening round of Premier League fixtures, Fulham covered 121.1 km – the most of all 20 teams – illustrating the Spaniard's point.

But amid suggestions that Fulham will concede a lot of goals this season and will have to rely on outscoring their opponents – something they look more than capable of, albeit based on one game – Arbeloa was quick to stress that a solid defence is paramount.

"I was a defender, (so) for me, as a manager, it is very important to defend very well," he said.

"We need to attack and we need to create chances. But for us, first, defence is very important. We need to control the counter-attacks of our opponents.

"That is very important. We need to defend very well. You cannot win games if you don't defend well.

"That is very clear. For sure, we need to improve in some areas. When we are attacking, of course, we are very, very open and we know that.

"But it is because of that that we want to press so high, as quickly as we can, because we need to avoid the counter-attacks. We need to improve, that is for sure.

"We know that we make mistakes and we need to make some adjustments. But we are on our way."

Fulham are unlikely to face many attacks as potent and dynamic as Chelsea's front three this season. Sunday's trip to Sunderland should provide a clearer litmus test of where Arbeloa's side really stands.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/p/arbeloa-wants-fulham-to-entertain

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Pre-Match Analysis: Fulham Host AFC Wimbledon in Carabao Cup
Álvaro Arbeloa has a golden opportunity to get his first win in charge of the Cottagers against fellow London side AFC Wimbledon

Fulham host League One side AFC Wimbledon in the second round of the Carabao Cup, with the hosts hoping to go deep in the competition as they did last season when they reached the quarter-finals.

Álvaro Arbeloa will be hoping to get his first win as Fulham manager against a favourable opposition, with this being the first time that the two clubs have faced each other in the competition.

The Cottagers kicked off their season on Monday night when they hosted Chelsea at home in the Premier League.

Despite what ended up being a nervy ending for Xabi Alonso's side, the Blues were able to hold on to take all three points in a match that they ended up losing 2-0 in the season prior.

That being said, there were many positives for Fulham to take away concerning their performance competitiveness, with many believing the hosts deserved a point given their flurry of chances after 22-year-old Gonzalo García halved the deficit early in the second half.

More convincingly for the Cottagers ahead of their second-round match, however, is that the Dons are yet to win a match in normal time since the 25th April, with the club currently sat in the relegation zone in the third tier of English football.

Therefore, it is a match in which we are expecting a rotated squad from Arbeloa, with their next Premier League match against Sunderland on the horizon.

Young Stars To Shine For Fulham

Fulham will be expected to field a highly rotated side against Wimbledon, yet this doesn't mean that their squad will feature less quality than in their most recent match, which opened up their newest Premier League campaign.

One player in defence that many will be excited to see shall he get selected, is the young Canadian defender Luc de Fougerolles, who joined the Fulham academy when he was just eight years old.

Named "Scholar of the Year" in 2023, he made his sole appearance for the first team in the Carabao Cup in the fourth round, when the Cottagers beat Ipswich Town 3-1 away at Portman Road.

The centre back was magnificent for Canada during their home World Cup, where they reached the round-of-16 for the first time in their history, and he was ranked as the fifth best defender at the World Cup, and best defender when excluding the champions, Spain.

Shea Charles would also be expected to make his full debut. After his £30 million transfer from Championship side Southampton, he became Northern Ireland's most expensive footballer.

The 22-year-old signed a five-year contract and made his debut for the club on Monday, coming on as a substitute.

Charles, who graduated from the Manchester City academy before joining the Saints, primarily operates as a central midfield player and was incredibly crucial in the South Coast side's promotion push last season, when he worked himself into Southampton manager Tonda Eckert's side.

Given the fact we can expect a rotated squad, 35-year-old Benjamin Lecomte would be expected to play over the club's first-choice goalkeeper Bernt Leno. Kenny Tete and Ryan Sessegnon would also be expected to start.

In attack, Arbeloa could utilise Emile Smith Rowe, Kevin and Rodrigo Muniz. The latter came on as a late substitute to strengthen their attack against the Blues but was given limited time to make a desired impact.

Arbeloa aiming for statement win

As far as the fixtures are concerned, the Cottagers have quite a difficult start to their Premier League campaign.

After starting their season at home to a reenergised Chelsea side, now under the management of Alonso, who was replaced last season at Real Madrid by Arbeloa, Fulham travel up north to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland, before matches against Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Manchester United.

All four sides qualified for European competitions last season, yet when looking ahead, the next three matches are the three newly promoted sides.

That being said, if there is still much doubt amongst the fanbase regarding Arbeloa's appointment, then nothing less than a win will suffice to quell those concerns.

Given the places separating Fulham from Wimbledon's and the form of the latter, it will be a match that the hosts are widely expected to win due to their quality.



https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2026/08/26/fulham/1269165-pre-match-analysis-fulham-host-afc-wimbledon-in-carabao-cup.html

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Hammers to host Fulham or AFC Wimbledon in round three
West Ham United have been drawn to face Fulham or AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup third round.

Nuno Espírito Santo's men will host either the Cottagers or the Dons in a London Stadium derby in the competition's last-32.

The pair face-off in their second round tie on Thursday night, with the winners due to head east in the week commencing 14 September.

The Irons booked our spot in the third round with a convincing 4-1 win at fellow EFL Championship side Southampton on Tuesday.

On a night when seven Academy graduates featured, one of them - 19-year-old Joshua Ajala - netted twice, before Taty Castellanos and Jarrod Bowen finished the job.

That followed a 3-1 first round win over Southampton's great South Coast rivals Portsmouth in front of over 53,000 fans at London Stadium.

Full fixture and ticketing information will be confirmed in due course.



https://www.whufc.com/en/news/hammers-to-host-fulham-or-afc-wimbledon-in-round-three

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From the Press Box: Arbeloa targets trophy as cup campaign begins
Jack Kelly attended Arbeloa's pre-AFC Wimbledon press conference, here's what the gaffer said.

I was delighted when we were drawn against AFC Wimbledon. A first meeting between the two sides since the Dons reformed. I'm situated only a short walk away from Plough Lane; Wimbledon has been my home all my life, so they are a team I look out for.

However, this game is important for Fulham - a chance to get their first win of the season after Monday's loss.

With it still being August, the transfer chatter is still ongoing, and was one of the key questions put to Arbeloa in his press conference. Here's what he had to say.

"The owners - they are fully committed to the project and we were discussing that maybe we can make the squad a little bit stronger and more balanced and we know that there is a room to improve.

"I'm happy with my players, my squad. I'm happy with the work of the club and the owners. They have already done amazing work in this window, let's see what we can do."

Tony Khan told talkSPORT that Fulham were still going to do business, which points towards another frantic deadline day - many fans believe Fulham need two or three more in as a minimum.

Arbeloa had some interesting things to say on Wednesday morning. He was impressed with the players' commitment on Monday night. Despite defeat, Fulham played well in certain areas, and could have come away with a point.

"For sure we need to improve in some areas and when we are attacking, of course we are very, very open and we know that. But it's because of that that we want to press so high as quick as we can because we need to avoid the counter-attacks. We need to improve, that is for sure.

"We know that we made mistakes and we need to make some adjustments. But we are on our way."

He was asked again in the written section about transfers. If there's a chance there could be some outgoings, as well as incomings.

"I don't know right now, because of course the transfer window is not that simple like Fantasy Premier League. It's a bit more difficult but like I said, I'm so happy with my squad, with my players, with all the work that they are doing in these weeks.

"And we will see because maybe a player can receive an offer and we will have to think about it. but right now I can't say that we are going to sign one, two or three players or that some of our players can leave the squad, I don't know right now."

The cup gives a opportunity for some of the other squad players to feature. Kevin and Emile Smith Rowe were names that were put to the head coach, with the latter not getting any minutes in Fulham's Premier League opener.

"I have so many players, all of them are very good players, but they will play if they deserve it. It's not about how much you cost, it's not about your salary, it's not about your name, it's about what you can do", said Arbeloa.

The pitch is the most important thing. I can just select 11 players. So with Emile and Kevin I have been talking with them and they know what they have to do. Hopefully tomorrow they can play very well and so they can help us for the whole season."

Arebeloa was bold on his aims for the cup competitions this season. A winner of trophies as a player, he now wants to win on the touchline too, and pulled no punches with his cup aspirations.

"It's a great opportunity for us. It's another competition that we have a chance to make an impact and to play. Like I said before, it's a big opportunity for many of our players. We will try to win that competition for sure. This is the target.

"I think it's not just our target, for sure, Wimbledon wants to win the competition too and we need to play with that ambition."



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/p/from-the-press-box-arbeloa-targets

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Matchday Preview: AFC Wimbledon
Our Carabao Cup campaign gets under way at the Second Round stage with a first meeting with Wimbledon since April 2001, the day Jean Tigana's side lifted the Division One trophy, when penalties from Luis Boa Morte and Jason Euell saw the sides share the spoils in a 1-1 draw. A South-West London derby already makes for a tasty cup tie, but a nice further subplot could pit the Sessegnon twins against one another for the first time in their careers, following Steven's move to Plough Lane in the summer.

Team news

🤍 Joachim Andersen returns to contention after serving his three-game ban, making Tom Cairney our sole absentee.

🔵 Harry Cornick - who has a career goal against Fulham to his name - signed this week and could be in line for a debut.

Tickets

Tickets remain available for supporters to purchase on General Sale, with prices starting from just £5.

Penalties

If the score is level after 90 minutes, the tie will be settled by a penalty shootout.

Kits

Both sides will be in their home strips for this game.

Weather

After thundery showers in the day, it should be dry by the time we kick-off, with temperatures of 20 degrees.

Drinks offers

Early Bird offers are available pre-match (up until 7pm) including £5 pints, £4 selected house wines, as well as £2 soft drinks.

Coverage

FFCtv subscribers can listen to commentary from Gentleman Jim and Jamie Reid, while the game will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports+.

Persistent standing

We would like to thank you all for your incredible support and passion that you display frequently in encouraging the team at Craven Cottage and on our travels.

We are mindful that we would like to continue to create a wonderful atmosphere at Craven Cottage to support the team, however we do need to remind all supporters that persistent standing during matches is not permitted. This is to comply with match day safety regulation and to ensure the comfort of all supporters attending.

Due to persistent standing in the Hammersmith Stand last season, the Club was required to put in measures to prevent this from happening going forward which involved moving several Season Ticket holders to another location so that an area for stewards could be facilitated. The Hammersmith Stand is a licensed all-seating stand. 

We would appreciate your cooperation to avoid any further measures being imposed and we thank you.

The Club is in discussion with the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) & Safety Advisory Group (SAG) regarding Safe Standing at Craven Cottage.

FUL STOP

At Craven Cottage, everyone is welcome. Together, we can create a safe and inclusive matchday experience for all supporters. Report any discriminatory or anti-social behaviour using the free phone number below.



Bag lanes

Following supporter feedback, we can confirm that a greater number of bag lanes will be in operation this season. These are located at Johnny Haynes 21, 22, 27 & 28, Hammersmith 32, 33, 34 & 35, and Putney 15, 16, 17 & 18. The Club's Bag Policy will remain in operation.

Programme

Josh King's breakthrough season brought Premier League minutes, a first Fulham goal and, perhaps most memorably of all, an invitation to train with England's senior squad ahead of the World Cup.

Now, with a new campaign under way, the Academy graduate tells the matchday programme about working under Álvaro Arbeloa, learning from Harry Kane, impressing Thomas Tuchel and why he wants to become a mainstay in the Fulham side.

"I think it's a little bit more possession-based under Álvaro Arbeloa than it was with Marco Silva," said King. "We want to have control and wait for the right moments to open teams up.

"Out of possession, it's more of a high press, so you've got to be able to cope with the demands of that.

"He wants me playing in a similar position to what I have before, in that pocket, and getting on the ball as much as possible.

"But I've got the licence to drop deeper and drift across the pitch. Then, out of possession, it's about showing the tenacity and obsession to win the ball back."

Elsewhere in the publication, Arbeloa and Tom Cairney pen their programme notes, while Gentleman Jim supplies his latest column and Alan Cork looks back on eventful stints with both Wimbledon and Fulham.

The programme will be on sale around the ground on Thursday, priced £3.50, or available to purchase online.

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/august/26/matchday-preview-afc-wimbledon/

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West Ham drawn in Carabao Cup draw
Should Fulham progress to the Carabao Cup Third Round, they will travel to the London Stadium to take on West Ham.

Álvaro Arbeloa's side will be looking to progress when they face AFC Wimbledon at Craven Cottage tomorrow evening.

Round Three ties are scheduled to take place during either of the weeks commencing 7th September or 14th September.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/august/26/west-ham-drawn-in-carabao-cup-draw/

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Fulham and Eintracht Frankfurt show interest in Rennes' Djaoui Cissé, but...
Fulham and Eintracht Frankfurt are reportedly among the clubs interested in signing Stade Rennais player Djaoui Cissé (22), according to Foot Mercato.

However, whilst the two clubs may well be about to submit an offer to their French counterparts in a bid to sign Cissé, the player himself is said to favour a move to RC Strasbourg Alsace, who are reportedly keen on the midfielder. That said, as things stand, no agreement has reportedly been reached between the various parties, and the 22-year-old's future therefore remains uncertain.

What is certain, however, is that his departure from SRFC seems all but confirmed, despite a contract running until 2030. Although talented, Cissé has nevertheless seen his prospects of securing playing time diminish in the face of ever-increasing competition.

Having made 24 appearances in Ligue 1 last season, 12 of them as a starter, the French Under-21 international (eight caps, four goals) is therefore looking for a new club. And there is no shortage of suitors.

GFFN | Léo Aschi



https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2026/fulham-and-eintracht-frankfurt-show-interest-in-rennes-djaoui-cisse-but/

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"We'll see what happens" – Fulham star wondering if he's caught manager's eye
Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno has insisted he remains relaxed about a return to the German national team, even if Jurgen Klopp should be well aware of him.

Sky Germany have an interview with the goalkeeper today. He admits he is curious if he's in Klopp's eyeline, given their shared time in the Premier League.

Leno hasn't played for Germany since 2024 after turning down a call-up to the squad under Julian Nagelsmann in October that year.

Germany return under Klopp?
The 34-year-old, who was 32 years old at the time, insisted that he did not want to play a back-up role for his country at that stage in his career. He felt that he had proven himself – with Fulham and Germany – and did not want to travel just to sit on the bench.

He instead chose to stay in London to train and focus on his career at Craven Cottage, although he never officially retired from international football.

Indeed, he has left the door open to a return if the national team ever needs him. Thus, the question was put to him about a potential international revival under Jurgen Klopp. The Fulham goalkeeper admits that he's curious given the former Liverpool manager should know him well.

"That's a very, very good question, but as I've always said: I'm actually relatively relaxed about it. I never said I'd never go back to the national team or anything like that," he said.

"But back then, I simply didn't see myself in that role. I don't even know who else was being called up. Waiting behind the other guys as the number three or number four – I didn't see that for myself at that stage of my career.

"If I'd been younger, it would have been a different story, of course. I'll never rule it out, but as I said, I'm not sitting here thinking, 'Jürgen Klopp is here now, he knows me from the Premier League, maybe I've got a new chance.' We'll see what happens."

Arsenal for the Premier League
In the meantime, he continues to focus on Fulham and the Premier League, where he is anticipating another title for Arsenal at the end of the campaign.

The Gunners are the overriding favourites for the title at this moment in time. And Leno admits he isn't sure the other contenders can compete with Mikel Arteta's side.

"You have to say it clearly, of course: Arsenal! I think they're a pretty settled side," he added.

"Plus, they've kept their squad together and brought in one or two good players. But you always have to see how Liverpool and Manchester City fare.

City lost a key player in Rodri, too. Pep Guardiola has left as well, and that always marks a sort of transitional phase.

"We'll have to see how it all plays out. But I think those are likely the three teams that will be contending at the top. I'm not so sure about the others. But I'd say Arsenal is probably the favourite."



https://sportwitness.co.uk/well-see-what-happens-fulham-star-wondering-if-hes-caught-managers-eye/

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