‘We Were Second Best Against Arsenal,’ Says Fulham Boss, Marco Silva
Marco Silva admitted Fulham were ‘second best’ after a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal, conceding his side were nowhere near the required level despite being hampered by a sickness bug in the build‑up.
Sander Berge missed the trip due to illness, with several other players and staff affected. Silva confirmed the disruption but refused to use it as an excuse: ‘Yes, a virus at the training ground; some players, some staff members too. That was the reason why Sander was not in the squad list.
‘Some of them had a completely different week. It’s not the reason why in the first half we weren’t at the level. I don’t like to start the press conference in this way, because it looks like the easiest explanation, or easiest way to find an excuse.”
Arsenal, chasing the Premier League title, punished Fulham’s sluggish start. Viktor Gyökeres struck twice, while Bukayo Saka added a third to seal a resounding win.
Silva was frustrated by his side’s lack of competitiveness: ‘We made their life too easy, too easy, that first half, the way we were not at a level that this type of game demands from ourselves. We were second best in almost everything during the first half.’
The Fulham boss highlighted the absence of his team’s usual identity: ‘One thing that is making us be a team that is always hard to play against, because we are always very competitive, we are always brave, we have a clear identity how to play, and during the first half, all these aspects were not on the pitch.’
