Fulham know the team we want to be, insists Arbeloa

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Alvaro Arbeloa insisted his Fulham side know “the team that we want to be” after a positive transfer window.

The Cottagers added seven players to their squad in the summer, with Gonzalo Garcia, Cesar Palacios and Manuel Angel all joining Arbeloa from Real Madrid.

Shea Charles made the switch from Southampton, while Hugo Larsson and David Affengruber joined from Eintracht Frankfurt and Elche respectively.

Jonah Kusi-Asare also made a permanent move from Bayern Munich after a loan spell in the second half of 2025-26.

Fulham have lost both of their first two Premier League games ahead of their clash with Crystal Palace, but Arbeloa is confident they are on the right path.

“We are so, so happy with all the players that have joined us,” said the Spaniard.

“We have a very good squad. I am very happy with the players that I have, and now it’s time to be focused on the next games, especially on Saturday’s game.

“Of course, now my job is to improve my players. We know who we are and the team that we want to be.”

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) September 3, 2026

Palace also failed to win either of their Premier League games so far, losing their opener to Everton before a heavy defeat against Manchester City last time out.

The Eagles also made some late additions to their squad, bringing in Quinten Timber, Ben Chilwell and Honest Ahanor, with the latter joining on loan.

Palace boss Pierre Sage expressed his disappointment after their loss to City on matchday two, and he knows he must get his team selection right.

“Sometimes the player is ready because they have already played and trained with their [former] club,” said Sage.

“Sometimes they need the time. It depends on the case. The most important thing is to put in the player who is able to win.

“That’s my job, to choose this player.”

Garcia has made 29 off-ball runs in behind opposition defences in the Premier League this season, with only Bryan Mbeumo (39) and Kai Havertz (31) making more.

Palace’s only goal in the league this season was an own goal from City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, though it came as a direct result of Yeremy Pino’s free-kick.

Pino created a joint-team-high two chances against City, while also leading his team-mates in crosses (seven), touches in the opposition box (four) and possessions won (six).

Fulham have lost 3-2 to Chelsea and 1-0 to Sunderland this season. Only in 1951-52 and 2020-21 have they lost each of their first three games in a top-flight campaign, being relegated on both occasions.

The Cottagers are looking to avoid losing three successive Premier League London derbies for the first time since April 2023, after losing 3-0 to Arsenal in May and 3-2 at home to Chelsea on MD1 this season.

Palace, meanwhile, have won six of their last 10 away London derby matches in the Premier League (D3 L1), as many as they had in their previous 44 (D15 L23).

The Eagles lost their first away Premier League game at Fulham in 2004-05, but are since unbeaten in seven at Craven Cottage (W4 D3).

However, Palace have conceded at least two goals in each of their last eight Premier League matches; they have never done so in nine league matches in a row in their league history.

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