Fulham boss Marco Silva calls on ex-Arsenal stars to upset Tottenham

Marco Silva has rallied his former Arsenal aces to spearhead Fulham’s charge against Tottenham. A win would catapult the Cottagers above their city rivals in the standings, as they seek redemption from their upset at Wolves’ hands last weekend.

Silva is banking on Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson and Alex Iwobi, all Arsenal youth products, to become match-winning heroes. He admits: “I haven’t spoken with Emile, Reiss or with Alex about this situation. However, probably their feeling is going to be different about the game.

The Fulham boss anticipates that Spurs fans might give them a frosty reception, adding: “The reaction towards them from the Tottenham fans is also probably going to be different than with me or Kenny Tete or Issa Diop.

“If it can give them a different level of motivation, then it would be good for us.”

“They are in Fulham now and they fight really hard for us.

“I know they are proud to be part of the club in this part of their careers.”

On the other side, Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou maintains an adventurous stance, expressing disinterest in defensive gameplay despite a recent Europa League slip-up versus Roma. While Silva acknowledges great respect for Postecoglou, he emphasizes his own tactical adaptability as vital for Fulham’s competitive edge in the top flight, concluding: “You adjust things, you are always trying to add things and in life, you can never stand still.

“Yes, in some moments I know I like to play football and be on the front foot but sometimes it does depend on the opponent and whether the other team allows you to do it.

“What I see from Ange is that you can always talk about the identity of the team.

“You can choose an idea but you have to convince the players.

“I really respect him, I have my idea and identity and what I see from Tottenham is one clear idea from a very good manager and he goes with it until the end.”

Fulham will be missing influential centre-back Joachim Andersen for the match, as the Dane has sustained a calf injury in the match against Wolves, while Harrison Reed, Jorge Cuenca, and Ryan Sessegnon will also be out of action.