Marco Silva shared his thoughts on the absences from the **Fulham**squad for the visit of Arsenal.
The Cottagers have been a bogey team for their fellow Londoners, holding them to a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage in 2024, beating them at their ground in December 2023, and losing by more than one goal in only one of six meetings since Silva steered the side back into the top flight in 2022.
However, the team are missing some key figures. Neither **Rodrigo Muniz**nor Raul Jimenez are likely to start on Saturday afternoon, so Silva might have to be creative with a false nine again.
**Kenny Tete**is suffering with knee issues, Antonee Robinson is back on the sidelines, Samuel Chukwueze is a doubt, and **Sasa Lukic**will be absent after an early substitution at Bournemouth.
“It’s the reality for us. We cannot change it. It's up to us, our medical staff and our rehabilitation group to get them ready as quickly as they can because we need them.
“If you have all your players available, you’re going to be stronger. If you don't have key players – not just one or two – you’re not at the same level. But it's not going to be an excuse for us. We have to move on and we have to go.
“Of course, we cannot hide. When we’re talking about a player like Robinson, for example, you know the impact that he's had in the last two or three seasons in all aspects of the game.
“Kenny is a key player for us. Every time he’s ready and at his best, he’s a key player in the way we want to play. Sasa Lukic has been one of the best players so far in the beginning of the season for us.
“We are at a moment in the season where things are coming all at the same time. It is what it is.”