Alvaro Arbeloa ready to put Xabi Alonso friendship on hold as Fulham host Chelsea in Premier League opener
Spanish comrades face off
Arbeloa is ready to park his close bond with Alonso as Fulham welcome Chelsea to Craven Cottage on Monday night. The new Cottagers boss steps into the dugout following Marco Silva's departure for Benfica, handed a baptism of fire in his Premier League managerial debut against his former team-mate. A fiercely contested West London derby awaits, with both clubs desperate to hit the ground running in their season opener.
Friendship paused for battle
Arbeloa also welcomed Real Madrid prospects Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios to the club before reiterating his professional duty to go all out for victory against Alonso's side. On his new recruits, Arbeloa said: "They are young players, with a lot of talent and ambition. They fit the way we want to play and they know what I expect from them. I am very happy to have them here with me."
Reflecting on the post-Silva era and facing his close friend, he added: "Marco did a great job. The players here were happy and comfortable with him, but now a new era begins. I know what I want and how I want to do it, but I also know how difficult this league is. I think we will be a difficult team to beat.
"I spoke to Xabi a few days ago, but not about football. Our families are coming to London. We are very good friends, but for 90 minutes we will give everything for our clubs. For 90 minutes, we won't be friends, because we both want to win this game."
Historic managerial reunion unfolds
Monday's fixture creates Premier League history as two opposing coaches make their top-flight dugout debuts against one another after playing 46 times together for Liverpool, losing just four of those matches (W28 D14). The hosts, however, must overcome an opening-day hoodoo, having lost all three of their previous top-tier curtain-raisers contested against London rivals. Across the divide, Chelsea will be eager to banish memories of January's 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage and avoid consecutive league losses to their neighbours for the first time since 1979.
London derby tests credentials
The home side are determined to improve their sluggish record in season openers, having picked up maximum points in just one of their last six attempts (D2 L3). Arbeloa must quickly find the right tactical balance to handle Chelsea's dynamic attacking threat under their new Spanish tactician. An intriguing tactical duel from the touchline promises to set the tone for both clubs' ambitions in the campaign ahead.
