Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta sees injury claims brutally rubbished by Marco Silva ahead of Fulham clash

Silva deflected questions about Arsenal's injury woes, instead highlighting his own side's issues and the comparative lack of resources for the two London clubs. 

The Cottagers enter Saturday's game without either of their first-team strikers. Rodrigo Muniz is expected to be out for at least a few weeks with a thigh injury, while Raul Jimenez is nursing a groin issue. Silva said the loss of those two players represents "probably the worst" injury crisis he has faced since joining the west London club. 

He went on to to compare his side's shortage up top to that of Arsenal. Despite missing Havertz and Jesus to long-term knee injuries, the summer signing of Viktor Gyokeres means the Gunners can still call upon one of Europe's premier strikers. Again, even with Madueke and Odegaard out, Arteta still has Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka in those positions.

When journalists put the idea of Arsenal's injury struggles to Silva, he replied: "They don’t have Madueke, they have Saka, it’s not bad, not bad at all," Silva said. "The other one you said was Havertz? They have Gyokeres who cost them £75 million. I think it’s a waste of time if you’re going to compare."

After he was pushed on Odegaard's absence, the Portuguese said: "They have Eze who is not bad too, I think you have to move on."

He went on to add: "I think it’s clear, with the long-term injury of Gabriel Jesus last season, they didn’t have Havertz, without them it was more difficult. I saw them playing with another player there with Merino, Trossard.

"They had this issue last season with Havertz and Jesus, what they did they saw it, analysed it and signed Gyokeres. Even with the injury to Havertz and Gabriel Jesus they are ready to start with a striker, and about Saka it’s more or less the same thing, with Odegaard it’s more or less the same thing.

"I think they can adapt to these unfortunate moments that all the teams have, like we have right now, probably the worst in my time at the club because we never had both strikers out at the same time, they are showing they have the conditions to handle it and deal with it so the level does not drop."

Silva said he was unsurprised by the strong start made by the Gunners in the 2025-26 season. Mikel Arteta's side currently sit atop the Premier League table, with a one-point lead over last season's champions Liverpool. The Portuguese credits Arsenal's investment in their squad depth for their improvement in the new term. 

"Looking at the last season, the way they increased their depth, in terms of quality, I think it’s clear for everyone," Silva said. "I gave you three examples, three who won’t be involved and the quality they are showing in other positions.

"They are a very, very, very strong squad. I think it shows the way they started the season as well and the way they have been playing. It’s not a surprise for anyone how solid they are, probably with one of the best partnerships in terms of central defenders in the Premier League and probably in Europe, and the quality around the place in their squad.

"I don’t think it’s new. Last season they were very strong as well and two seasons ago as well. The reality is that recently they have been very tough to play against."

Fulham's lack of attacking options will give Silva some difficult questions ahead of the London derby. Will he hand a debut to Bayern Munich loanee Jonah Daniel Kusi-Asare, or continue to deploy Josh King as a striker? Whichever 18-year-old gets the nod, they will have a tricky assignment creating or converting chances against one of the league's staunchest defences. 

The Cottagers have had very little luck in recent times against Arsenal. The Gunners have won nine of their last 14 league meetings, with Fulham last beating Arteta's side in December 2023. Arsenal are unbeaten in 18 of their last 19 London derbies.