Alvaro Arbeloa responds to Fulham pressure: ‘I don’t feel fear’

Alvaro Arbeloa insists he can handle the pressure at Fulham after their late defeat at Ipswich extended his winless Premier League start to six matches.

The Cottagers were ahead through Ryan Sessegnon until the 88th minute, but goals from Abdoul Ouattara and Dara O’Shea condemned them to a 2-1 defeat at Portman Road.

Fulham have collected just two points from their opening six league games, leaving Arbeloa facing questions about his ability to turn their results around.

Alvaro Arbeloa defends his response to pressure

“I don’t feel fear. You cannot be a coach if you feel it,” Arbeloa said in his post-match comments reported by Sky Sports.

The former Real Madrid manager pointed to his experience as a player and coach, explaining that pressure had long been part of his career.

He said his responsibility was to make decisions and give his players confidence, with Fulham’s position taking priority over questions about his own future.

Fulham let another opportunity slip

Sessegnon, named at left-back in the confirmed Fulham starting XI, opened the scoring in the 55th minute.

Fulham finished with 52% possession and 13 shots to Ipswich’s 11, but those numbers offered little consolation after the late turnaround.

Ouattara equalised before O’Shea converted Jack Clarke’s delivery in stoppage time.

Fulham next host Hull City at Craven Cottage. Arbeloa stressed the importance of that home fixture and acknowledged his side urgently need points.