Fulham manager Marco Silva has delivered a disappointing update on the fitness of Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi ahead of this weekend’s game against Arsenal, confirming that the Hale End Academy product remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from injury.

The Premier League side are managing a number of fitness concerns within their squad, with Iwobi’s absence standing out due to his importance in midfield creativity and build-up play.

Iwobi has been sidelined in recent weeks following a muscle issue sustained during Fulham’s Premier League clash against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, where he was forced off after feeling discomfort during the first half of the game. 

The injury has ruled the Nigerian out of training and competitive action, with Fulham opting for a cautious approach to avoid any risk of recurrence.

His absence has come at a time when the club are navigating a demanding stretch of the season, where squad depth has been heavily tested.

Speaking via the club’s official website, Silva gave a brief but clear update on the situation, confirming that the midfielder is still not ready to return. “Alex [Iwobi] is out still, plus Kevin."

The Fulham boss did not provide a specific timeline for Iwobi’s return. The club will continue to assess his condition on a day-to-day basis, with hopes that he could rejoin full training if his recovery continues to progress positively in the coming weeks.

Iwobi’s absence is a significant blow to Fulham’s attacking structure, as the 29-year-old has been one of their most reliable creative outlets this season.

His ability to operate across multiple midfield roles has made him a key tactical asset for Silva’s system.

As Fulham prepare for a demanding fixture against Arsenal, the team will once again have to adjust without one of their most influential midfield figures, hoping others can step up in his absence.

Wale Adejumo