We’re in a difficult period but history tells us its big games against the likes of Arsenal that tend to get the best out of West Ham.
That’s what’s needed today. A big game. A big performance. A big result. Of course, the likelihood of us coming away with all three points is slim, but at the moment all we’re really looking for is a performance.
The players need to show us that they care, that they’re up for this. We want to see blood, sweat and tears at London Stadium today. We want to see passion, belief and commitment.
If you throw all that in to the melting pot, sprinkle in a rocking London Stadium atmosphere and give it a stir, you end up with a West Ham team capable of good things. Great things. It’s just we haven’t found the right recipe yet.
Injuries have been the bane of our season so far and it has been confirmed that both Aaron Cresswell and Michail Antonio will not feature against Arsenal after picking up injuries against Man United in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.
That means we’re once again left woefully short at the back, but we do have the personnel to get by. For now, anyway.
Our current injury problems should lead to Slaven Bilic rethinking his system again. His 3-5-2 has been relatively successful but he can’t force players out of position in order to make it work any longer. He needs to adapt.
One of the biggest boosts this afternoon is the expected return of Andy Carroll. The Big Man grabbed a hat-trick in this fixture last season but he may have to settle for a role off the bench today. His return to action, though, should give the entire club a lift. He is so important to us.
So here’s how I think he should line us up this afternoon and it’s an XI that has the potential to get our season well up and running at last…
