Fulham coach admits Super Eagles duty affected Iwobi, Bassey, Chukwueze's readiness for Arsenal clash

Fulham manager Marco Silva has admitted that international commitments with the Super Eagles impacted the readiness of Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze ahead of his side's Premier League clash against Arsenal.

The trio featured in the back-to-back 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin, although the AC Milan loanee was substituted at half-time in the win over the Cheetahs after sustaining a suspected calf injury.

Chukwueze's availability for the encounter with the Gunners depends on the outcome of a scan conducted on Friday.

Meanwhile, Iwobi and Bassey, both key figures in Silva's starting line-up, managed to participate in only one full training session before the meeting with Arsenal.

Twelve Fulham first teamers received international call-ups in October, comprising seven from Europe, three from Africa and two from North America.

Silva explained that while most European-based players have adequate time to rest and prepare for the next league match, those travelling long distances for international duty in Africa often return late, leaving limited time for tactical sessions.

Speaking at Friday's pre-match press conference, Silva told reporters: "It's very tough, but I really believe it is tough for Mikel as well.

"Of course, when you have players playing African games or they have to go to America, it's going to be a little tougher than in Europe. Most of the players play on Monday or Tuesday.

"In Europe, they play on Saturday. Even if they are not able to train on Wednesday, from Thursday you start to prepare them.

"The players that played in Africa, you have three Chukwueze, Alex and Calvin, and the situation of Robinson, who was not ready to go, he didn't travel."

Silva added that the congested international schedule between their last Premier League fixture against Bournemouth and the upcoming encounter with Arsenal made preparations more demanding.

"It's always more difficult if you talk about a 15-day distance between the Bournemouth game and the Arsenal game. Today was the first day we had all the players on the pitch."

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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