Arbeloa: We deserved more against Chelsea
Fulham boss praised his players' character after a 3-2 loss to Chelsea but blamed defensive mistakes for the defeat.
25.08.2026 13:15 — Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa described mixed emotions after his side fell 3-2 to Chelsea in the opening Premier League fixture, praising his players' spirit while pointing to defensive lapses as the decisive factor.
Arbeloa underlined that the goals they conceded came at key moments and that, despite the scoreline, he saw positives in his team's performance.
"We conceded goals in the first minute of the match, at the end of the first half and right at the start of the second half. Still, my team showed real character and individuality on the pitch, which is why I am extremely proud of the response from my players. We deserved a little more from this game, but in football it is not what you deserve that matters, it's what you actually get from the game," Arbeloa said.
Defensive errors and lessons
He did not hide his frustration at the manner of Chelsea's goals, arguing that Fulham made avoidable mistakes that handed the initiative to the visitors.
"If you lose to a team like Chelsea, they should have to work much harder to beat you. I think we gave away too many easy goals that came from our own mistakes, and these are things we simply cannot allow at this level. We must improve defensively and be completely focused from the first second of the match, that is for sure," the Spaniard added.
Despite the defeat, Arbeloa sounded upbeat about Fulham's medium-term prospects and singled out new, younger additions for praise.
"We are at the beginning of our journey and we will only get better. The first thing I want to see on the pitch is a truly competitive team. Tonight we were exactly that — we gave everything and tried to play our football against an opponent like Chelsea, which is by no means easy. I have full confidence in these lads, especially in our younger signings. They have the energy and ambition I need and they fit perfectly into my style. Josh King was absolutely incredible on the pitch; it is a real pleasure to have a player like him. Gonzalo Garcia scored a goal, and César Palacios also played at an excellent level. They still need a little time to adapt, but they are already making a serious impression with their play," Arbeloa concluded.
Photo: Real Madrid C.F. (X)
