Can Arnautovic help lead West Ham to a surprise City result?
Can West Ham really upset the odds against Manchester City? It’s been a while since we got a decent result against this side, and we’ll need Arnie to get the most out of the game.
He isn’t in everyone’s good books, but it seems that West Ham’s Marko Arnautovic has put January behind him. Yes the manager hasn’t seen fit to start him in the last couple of games, but he’s doing his best when coming on and I think he’s clicking again with his teammates.
His assist to Michail Antonio at the end of the last game, just after he almost set up Manuel Lanzini for a returning goal, was a sign that he is looking to do what’s best for the team, not just looking for goals. But he will need to be at his best to punish any errors in the Man City defence.
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At his best, there aren’t many better attritional centre forwards in the league. He will pester, annoy and do everything he can to put you off your game and make you lose concentration. Against Burnley he clearly had his arguments with Tarkowski, and he gave a lot against United when we played them at home. That’s the kind of Arnie we need. No prisoners. No friends made.
If Arnie is in anyway holding back against the Champions, we will suffer. We will need him to link with the wings, holding the ball up to help the midfield join the attack whilst also being a potential threat in behind. If there’s a chance that falls to him in the box, he can’t hesitate. These games won’t present much of an opportunity, what we get we have to take. Aguero won’t be kind at the other end, so we can’t be lazy on ours.
Felipe Anderson key to West Ham's chances. dark. Next
I hope we get the best of Arnie for the last 10 games, because then there’s no downside. If he leaves in the summer it will be at a fair price for the club, and if he stays we get a striker capable of tormenting even the best defences in the league. This game against City is a big one for him and his attitude, I hope he rises to the occasion.