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Arbeloa's Fulham Tenure on the Brink as Dressing Room Discontent Deepens
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Arbeloa's Fulham Tenure on the Brink as Dressing Room Discontent Deepens

2 hours ago·2 min

Álvaro Arbeloa is under serious pressure at Craven Cottage, with reports of dressing room unrest threatening to make him the Premier League's first managerial casualty of the new season.

Fulham have lost all three of their opening Premier League fixtures, and a fourth consecutive defeat — this weekend away at Liverpool — could prove decisive for the 43-year-old Spaniard's future at the club.

Discontent in the squad

Arbeloa replaced Marco Silva during the summer and was given strong backing by the board, with the club securing three signings directly from Real Madrid: Cesar Palacios, Gonzalo Garcia, and Manuel Angel. However, a perceived preference for those ex-Bernabeu recruits has created friction within the existing squad.

Alex Iwobi has been shifted from his favoured wide position into central midfield — a move widely seen as making room for Palacios on the wing. Meanwhile, Emile Smith Rowe, who joined for £34 million, has featured for just 25 combined Premier League minutes across the three defeats, exclusively from the bench.

Kevin ultimatum

The situation surrounding Brazilian winger Kevin — Fulham's record signing — appears particularly volatile. According to Saturday White Fever, Kevin and Arbeloa have fallen out over playing time. The former Shakhtar Donetsk man has managed only 24 league minutes this term and was an unused substitute in last weekend's loss to Crystal Palace.

Following that defeat, Kevin posted a cryptic message on social media reading: 'no speak, no hear, no see' — widely interpreted as a direct protest against Arbeloa's selection decisions and management style. It is now understood that Kevin may seek a January transfer window exit from Craven Cottage if the board does not act before then.

A coordinated show of dissent

The discontent extends beyond Kevin alone. In what appears to be a deliberate gesture, both Iwobi and Smith Rowe have wiped their Instagram accounts clean of all posts showing them in Fulham colours — a move that has not gone unnoticed inside the club.

With the trip to Anfield looming, the manner of performance as much as the result could determine Arbeloa's fate. Another limp display against Liverpool may leave the Fulham board with little choice but to make a change.

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