Daily WHUFC News - 3rd December 2016

Preview - Arsenal
WHUFC.com

When and where?

West Ham United v Arsenal
Premier League
Saturday 3 December 2016, 5.30pm GMT
London Stadium

What's the story?

West Ham United welcome Arsenal to London Stadium on Saturday evening for
the first Premier League derby at their new home.

After three consecutive away games, the Hammers are finally back in east
London with cross-capital bragging rights up for grabs.

Of course, Slaven Bilic's men have contested one derby at London Stadium
already – a 2-1 win over Chelsea in the EFL Cup – and they will be looking
for a similar result this time out as they try to build on last Sunday's
draw at Manchester United.

Both West Ham and Arsenal were involved in midweek action – and both exited
the EFL Cup following defeats to the Red Devils and Southampton
respectively.

However, the Gunners had gone 19 games without defeat previously, a run
which stretched back to the opening weekend of the season.

Arsene Wenger's men are hot on the heels of league leading trio Chelsea,
Liverpool and Manchester City, just three points behind the Blues with eight
wins and four draws from their opening 13 league games.

West Ham are in 16th after last week's draw took them above Crystal Palace
with twelve points to their name.

Team news

West Ham will be without both Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell for
Saturday's game after both suffered injuries in Wednesday's defeat at
Manchester United.

Diafra Sakho is also out with a hamstring problem, but Andy Carroll is
likely to be in the squad after overcoming his knee injury.

Arsenal's Mathieu Debuchy is out for up to six weeks with a hamstring
injury, while Olivier Giroud is a doubt due to his groin.

Santi Cazorla has undergone ankle surgery this week and is out for three
months.

Any links between the two?

West Ham midfielder Havard Nordtveit spent four years with Arsenal as a
youngster before departing for German football, from where he joined the
Hammers in the summer.

Meanwhile, Arsenal's Carl Jenkinson played 59 Premier League games for West
Ham across two seasons on loan at the Boleyn Ground, from 2014-16.

How do I get to the game?

The latest news on the Tubes, London Overground, TfL Rail and the roads can
be found here.

Click here for the latest on National Rail services.

How can I watch the game?

Saturday's match is being broadcast live in the UK on BT Sport. You can also
follow the game as it happens right here on whufc.com, with live audio
commentary, social updates, in-running stats, photos and more.

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From the Boardroom - David Gold
WHUFC.com

We will be hoping to bounce straight back to winning ways following a
disappointing exit from the EFL Cup against Manchester United on Wednesday
night.

It is sad that we were unable to reach the semi-final stage of the
competition as we were just two games from playing at Wembley, but we have
to move on and raise our spirits ahead of another big game in the Premier
League.

I want to thank the thousands of fans who made the long journey to Old
Trafford on Wednesday night for the second time in just four days and were
magnificent once again.

We know the importance of getting something from the Arsenal game on
Saturday and hopefully we can show the same kind of performance that we
showed against Manchester United in the league last Sunday.

It was a vital point as we look to move away from a perilous position in the
table.

Diafra Sakho scored a superb goal after just two minutes and it gave
everyone a lift and the belief that we could take something from the game.
It also showed what we have been missing and a striker getting on the
scoresheet.

We said when the key players were back from injury they would make a
difference and that proved to be the case.

But just when you think our luck might be changing, Diafra sustained a thigh
injury and will now face another six weeks on the sidelines which is a big
blow. He is a valuable player and can score goals.

Hopefully we will see Andy Carroll back in the squad and that will give
everyone a lift in the dressing room.

Andy has worked so hard to regain full fitness and he knows the importance
of getting back on the pitch and showing his best form.

The medical team have held him back to ensure he is ready and I know he will
be desperate to play another big part against Arsenal.

Few could forget his memorable hat-trick against the north London Club last
season and we would all love to see him repeat that again!

I remember the game and how we battled back from 2-0 down. Andy scored three
goals to put us into the lead, but unfortunately Laurent Koscielny scored a
late equaliser.

It was a fantastic game of football and I am sure it will be another great
night under the lights at London Stadium.

I have no doubts that the fans will be right behind us once again and will
be a major driving force for us as they get behind the team.

This has been a tough period for us but we need to climb the table and we
need a victory. Three points would change everything and help us move away
from the bottom three.

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Randolph - There is more to come
WHUFC.com

Darren Randolph is set to start his third straight Premier League against
Arsenal on Saturday
Irishman has been preferred to Adrian in recent weeks
No1 is determined to build on last weekend's 1-1 draw at Manchester United

Darren Randolph has won his waiting game and is desperate not to lose his
hard-earned place in the West Ham United team.

The Irishman's consistent performances in training and cup matches saw him
called into Slaven Bilic's Premier League starting XI for the recent trip to
Tottenham Hotspur. Randolph impressed at White Hart Lane before winning Man
of the Match honours in last Sunday's 1-1 draw at Manchester United, where
his heroics helped earn a hard-fought point.

The No1 is set to keep his place for Saturday's derby with Arsenal, with
Adrian again on the substitutes' bench, but Randolph knows the Spaniard has
the ability and attitude to win a recall should his own standards slip.

"I knew coming in last year that I was coming in to fight for the place, but
Adrian had been here for three seasons and had been very good, so I knew it
would be a waiting game," he revealed. "If I got chances in the cup games, I
knew I had to perform and that's all I could have done.

"I was quite lucky last year with the FA Cup run we had and getting the last
few Premier League games of the season and a few at the start of this season
in Europe. I got quite a few games, a lot more than I thought I would play
last year. I've got my chance and I'm just enjoying it, because it's been a
long wait.

"I don't know if I'm in the form of my life, but it's definitely become a
reality now, when before I thought 'It would be nice to get there'.

"At the minute, I've achieved the goals I set out to achieve, but while it's
hard to get where you want to be, it's even harder to stay there. Hopefully
there is more to come."

Saturday marks the third of four straight fixtures against Premier League's
title-chasers, with the visit of Arsenal following a heart-breaking 3-2
defeat at Tottenham and resilient 1-1 draw at Manchester United, and ahead
of a trip to Liverpool on Sunday 11 December.

The Gunners have lost just once in the Premier League – to Liverpool on the
opening weekend – and their midweek EFL Cup defeat by Southampton was a
first in 20 matches in all competitions.

On paper, Arsenal are daunting opponents for the 16th-placed Hammers, but
Randolph says Bilic's team can take heart from the result they achieved at
Old Trafford.

"With how tight things are in the Premier League and how we've been going of
late, picking up a point at Old Trafford helped us out massively and it will
be the same against Arsenal – try to frustrate them and take as many points
out of the game as we can," he observed.

"There are weaknesses in every team, but you just need to create the chances
to exploit those weaknesses, while keeping everything solid yourselves.
We'll be looking at them on video and trying to impose our game plan."

One man who will help West Ham to impose themselves on Arsene Wenger's team
is the returning Andy Carroll, who smashed in a hat-trick in Arsenal's last
visit to east London – a 3-3 draw at the Boleyn Ground in April.

Randolph, for one, is excited about the No9's imminent comeback.

"Andy brings an all-around threat," he confirmed. "He obviously takes a lot
of people's attention when he's on the pitch and is a different kind of
tactic for us as well.

"He definitely gives the whole team a boost. You know exactly what you're
going to get from him, so to have him back is big for us."

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Manager on Matchday
WHUFC.com

Good morning everyone,

We are determined to bounce back from the disappointing defeat against
Manchester United in the EFL Cup and we know what we have to do if we are to
get a positive result against Arsenal.

We are pleased to have Andy Carroll back in the squad for the game and he
was unstoppable against Arsenal last season.

It was probably one of his best games for West Ham and during his career. He
scored a hat-trick and had another goal disallowed.

He was great during that game and all the games that he was available. I
can't remember many games when he was below par. Maybe Watford away when the
whole team didn't play well.

I was a defender and no defender is comfortable when he is in the box. When
you are a centre-back you want the ball to be in the air and not on the
ground.

When the ball is in the air you are dominating and your job is to stop him
scoring. You can nudge him a bit and kick if necessary!

But when the ball comes into the box it is down to him because of his
presence, his height, his timing, his hungriness to get to the ball first,
his bravery and great timing.

He is not under-estimated. We spoke about him last year and his problem is
consistency – not on the pitch but consistency in being available to the
manager. All he needs is to feel good in his body.

He is one player that makes an impact on the crowd, on the opponent, on his
team-mates.

He had a great season at Newcastle and during that time he was playing for
England against my country Croatia when he had a spell of 20 games or more
without injury.

I was also asked about Dimitri Payet in the pre-match press conference and
his recent performances.

He had a great Euros but got injured in the first game back against Chelsea.
He worked his way back to fitness and is a key player for us.

With the ball he's a world class player. Of course I'm happy with him, he's
an easy player to train, a very good professional. But you can't expect
Dimitri Payet to play alone. You need other players to do better.

It is a blow that we are missing Aaron Cresswell and Michail Antonio through
injury.

With Antonio you are losing goals, and that pressure doesn't increase on
Dimi now, it increases on the entire team.

I don't have to change the system. We have players who have played there
before and it's more hard now to revert to a four without full backs.

Enjoy the game.

Slaven

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Westley - The errors will be worked on
WHUFC.com

West Ham United PL2 were beaten 3-1 by Brighton in the Premier League Cup on
Thursday
Djair Parfitt-Williams scored the Hammers solitary goal
Terry Westley says his players need to learn from their mistakes

Terry Westley says his players will work on the errors that cost them dearly
in their 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier
League Cup. The Hammers were aiming to bounce back after their defeat to
Fulham in Premier League 2 on Monday but were edged out by goals from Jayson
Molumby, Jesse Starkey and Joe Ward. Djair Parfitt-Williams got the home
side back in the contest and made it 1-1 after Molumby's goal, but the
Seagulls scored twice in the final 20 minutes to seal the three points. The
result halts the Irons' faultless start to the defence of their Cup crown,
as Brighton move above them in Group E. "We still tried to play some pretty
stuff and got caught on more than one occasion. We just said in the dressing
room: you have to learn quickly as a professional athlete. You can't keep
making errors," said Westley. "In the last two games, we've played alright
in patches. Tonight when it went 1-1 there was only one team that was going
to go on and win but and error has cost us, similar to Fulham on Monday."

The Hammers shaded the first half, especially when Marcus Browne almost
squeezed the ball into Casper Ankegren's bottom corner, but were hit with a
suckerpunch five minutes before half-time. Molumby's long range effort
squirmed under keeper Raphael Spiegel to put the away side ahead. Westley's
side emerged from the break with more intensity and equalised when
Parfitt-Williams nodded the ball into the net after Browne's corner. The
Hammers pushed for a winner, and looked the more likely, before Henrik
Bjordal found Starkey with a pass and the midfielder slotted the ball past
Spiegel. The home side almost bounced back immediately through Toni Martinez
but the result was confirmed when substitute Joe Ward beat Spiegel to put
the Seagulls top of Group E. "We'll dust ourselves down and get back on the
training pitch. We're developing players and those habits have to be worked
on," added Westley.

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Injury Update - Antonio & Cresswell
WHUFC.com

Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell will miss the Premier League game
against Arsenal on Saturday but the Club are hopeful the influential duo
will be back in the next two weeks. Both players were forced to leave the
field during the EFL Cup defeat against Manchester United on Wednesday
night. Slaven Bilic confirmed after the game that the pair had suffered
groin injuries, but was optimistic they would not be ruled out for a lengthy
period. The Club remain confident that neither injury looks serious and will
know a lot more in the next 48 hours.

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Masuaku ready for action
WHUFC.com

Arthur Masuaku is ready to make an immediate return to first-team action and
is targeting a big victory over Arsenal on Saturday to help the Club get
their season back on track. The Hammers are sitting just above the bottom
three and are determined to make amends for the EFL Cup quarter-final defeat
against Manchester United at Old Trafford. It was to prove a disappointing
night after influential duo Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell both picked
up groin injuries which will force them to miss the big London derby at
London Stadium. Masuaku has only just returned from a knee injury which
sidelined him for two months, but he appeared as a second half substitute on
Wednesday night and is now in contention to start against Arsenal this
weekend. The French defender knows the importance of getting back on the
winning trail and the confidence it will bring to everyone at the Club if
they can move towards the top half of the table. Masuaku said: "I hope that
we are going to beat Arsenal on Saturday and that is my only target. It is
very important for the team and the fans so let's hope we can do that. "We
lost Michail and Cressy through injury and it makes things more difficult.
Both players are very important for the team so we hope they can come back
as soon as possible. "It was nice to be back on the pitch, but it is always
hard to play against a team like Manchester United. "I always try to do my
best, but it didn't happen like I wanted. We have to keep working hard as a
team. "I had a similar problem to what Cressy had with my knee with the
ligaments which I suffered during the Cup game against Accrington and was
out for two months. "Normally this injury is around ten weeks but I managed
to get back in eight weeks and it was good to get some match action under my
belt."
With Diafra Sakho ruled out for six weeks with a thigh injury, Ashley
Fletcher could get the chance to lead the Hammers attack once again after
scoring his first goal for the Club against his former club Manchester
United. Masuaku has nothing but praise for the way the 21-year-old has taken
his chance and hopes he will score many more goals in the coming weeks and
months. Masuaku added: "I was very happy for Ashley that he scored against
his old team because he didn't get to play for the first-team so it must
have been a good feeling for him to score at Old Trafford."

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Bobby to be honoured
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are delighted to announce that the legendary Bobby Moore OBE
is to be honoured with the Club's Lifetime Achievement Award at the end of
our historic first season at London Stadium.

The West Ham United Player Awards 2017, in aid of The Academy, will take
place on Tuesday 9 May 2017 at The InterContinental London, and will see the
prestigious accolade awarded in memory of our most famous son.

No figure better illustrates West Ham United's proud and rich heritage than
Bobby Moore. And at this historic time, it is more important than ever to
remember our traditions and carry the glories of our past into the dreams
and aspirations of our future.

The Club has long since held the belief that, in this momentous inaugural
year at the iconic London Stadium, there could not be a more deserving and
appropriate choice for the award than the most iconic player in our 121-year
history.

Bobby Moore is rooted in the heart and soul of West Ham United and we will
always continue to honour his memory. It was fitting that the final act at
the Boleyn Ground was the symbolic return of our greatest captain to switch
off the lights.

And those memories now live on in our new Stadium, where he is immortalised
throughout.

Carrying on tradition, with the north stand at London Stadium named in his
honour, our Club London hospitality proudly holds the exquisite BM6 Lounge
and celebrates his memorable achievements, while a Legends Stone is laid in
Champions Place commemorating his West Ham United and England career, and
his now retired No6 shirt hangs with pride in the Stadium for all to see.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders ever to grace the game,
Bobby Moore made his West Ham United debut against Manchester United in
September 1958 at the age of 17 and went on to build a glittering career,
leading the Club to FA Cup glory at Wembley in 1964 and the European Cup
Winners' Cup 12 months later at the same venue.

On July 30 1966, Moore enjoyed his finest hour, back at Wembley again, as
the inspirational captain of the England team that beat West Germany to win
the World Cup.

After his fellow 1966 heroes Sir Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters, Moore will
become the fifth Hammers legend to be honoured with the Club's Lifetime
Achievement award, along with Billy Bonds and Sir Trevor Brooking.

West Ham United look forward to welcoming Bobby's family as guests of honour
to the West Ham United Player Awards 2017, along with our players, staff and
supporters, on what is certain to be a memorable and emotional night for
everyone present.

The Arora Ballroom at The InterContinental, in the shadow of London's O2
Arena, will provide the perfect backdrop for this year's illustrious event
and you can be there, in the company of Slaven Bilic and the first team
squad, as we reflect on the success stories of our debut campaign at London
Stadium and celebrate the life and career of our iconic number six.

Hospitality packages are available now, with tables of 10 from £2,750 plus
VAT. To ensure you don't miss out, call 0871 091 1811 now. (Calls cost 10p
per minute plus your networks access charge).

This year's Lifetime Achievement Award is sponsored by JM Sealant.

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Payet shortlisted for top award
WHUFC.com

Dimitri Payet shortlisted for a place in the FIFPro World 11
West Ham United star among 55 players nominated by his fellow professionals
French midfielder has enjoyed an outstanding 2016 for Club and country

West Ham United star Dimitri Payet has been named among the 55 players vying
for a place in the FIFPro World 11. Thousands of professionals from all over
the world were invited to pick one goalkeeper, four defenders, three
midfielders and three attackers in their own World 11 by FIFPro, the World
Players' Union. France international Payet, who has enjoyed an outstanding
2016 for Club and country, unsurprisingly earned the acclaim of his
contemporaries, being named as one of 15 midfielders on the final shortlist.
The 29-year-old has shone throughout the year for the Hammers, scoring nine
goals and recording 18 assists for Slaven Bilic's side. This season, he has
made 46 key passes in just eleven Premier League appearances – eleven more
than Manchester City's Belgium star and fellow World 11 nominee Kevin De
Bruyne. Payet was one of nine players to be named on the World 11 shortlist
for the first time, joining fellow Frenchmen Antoine Griezmann and N'Golo
Kante. He is one of 14 Premier League players included, joining Chelsea trio
Kante, Eden Hazard and David Luiz, Manchester United duo David de Gea and
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy, Manchester City
quartet De Bruyne, David Silva, Claudio Bravo and Sergio Aguero and Arsenal
trio Hector Bellerin, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez. The FIFPro World 11
will be unveiled in Zurich on 9 January 2017. Meanwhile, the No27 is also
among 12 midfielders shortlisted for a place in the UEFA Team of the Year.
With 14 goals and 19 assists in 47 appearances for West Ham and France,
Payet leads both categories among midfield players in European football.

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Parfitt-Williams - Nice to be back among goals
WHUFC.com

Djair Parfitt-Williams is delighted to be back and playing football after
injury
The Bermudan forward scored the Hammers' only goal in their 3-1 defeat to
Brighton last night
He believes the Hammers have the ability and talent to bounce back from
consecutive defeats

Djair Parfitt-Williams described West Ham United PL2's 3-1 defeat to
Brighton and Hove Albion an "up and down performance". The Hammers went a
goal down after Jayson Molumby's effort squirmed under keeper Raphael
Spiegel but they equalised through Parfitt-Williams for his second goal
since returning from injury. However, it was the Seagulls who regained the
lead through Jesse Starkey and secured the victory in stoppage time through
substitute Joe Ward. "It was an up and down performance. We were on top of
them at times but the mistakes we made gave away the game," said
Parfitt-Williams. "It's not hard to see the talent that we have in our team
to create goals and to score goals but we've just been unfortunate with two
bad games."

Parfitt-Williams is enjoying a consistent run in Terry Westley's PL2 squad
after suffering a nasty hip injury during pre-season.
This resulted in a frustrating few months for the Bermudan attacker, who has
since returned and had a real influence on the team.
The forward loves scoring in the Premier League Cup – as well as netting
last night, he scored the only goal in the Hammers' first leg victory over
Hull City in the final last season. "I'm very happy. I was injured for four
months and I've now had three starts back and scored two goals. So 2 goals
in 3 starts isn't bad and now I need to push on and start affecting the
games more," he added.
"I scored quite a few headed goals last season and it seems like I know how
to get in the right place for them!"
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Champions Place landmark now fully open
WHUFC.com

West Ham United are delighted to announce that the iconic Champions Place
landmark at London Stadium is now fully open to the public, 24/7. Champions
Place is home to thousands of specially engraved supporters' stones,
inscribed with personalised messages at the Hammers' new Stadium. These
stones sit alongside tributes to the Club's greatest ever players as a
permanent tribute to the Hammers' glorious history. Previously, the
Champions Place area, at the north-east corner of London Stadium outside
entrance J, was only open on matchdays – but you are now able to view your
stones at any time. There is still the opportunity for you to create your
own piece of history at Champions Place too! Personalised stones are
available to order from just £60 – giving you the chance to make your mark
at our new home or purchase a unique Hammers Christmas gift. If you order
today, your stone will be installed at the end of our inaugural season at
London Stadium.

Order now at championsplace.whufc.com

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U18s urged to stand up and be counted
SSN

The Hammers U18s take on Fulham at Little Heath on Saturday
They were beaten last time out against Reading and also suffered defeat to
Stoke City in the FA Youth Cup
Assistant boss Mark Phillips is looking forward to the London derby

West Ham United U18s will look to arrest a three game winless run at home to
Fulham on Saturday at Little Heath. The Hammers have endured a frustrating
couple of weeks, losing twice in the league and being knocked out of the FA
Youth Cup by Stoke City at the third round stage. Most recently, a defeat
last weekend to Reading meant the young Irons dropped down to fourth in the
U18 Premier League South. Speaking on Saturday, assistant manager Mark
Phillips said: "I think Reading deserved to win today. They had the better
chances than us. I wouldn't say they're a better footballing side than us
but they definitely deserved to win on the day. "It was a similar game to
Tuesday (vs Stoke). They (Reading) were a physical, robust side and we
struggled to deal with them."

The defeat has blown the race for the top four wide open with five teams now
vouching for the spots that will guarantee a place in the top division once
the league splits in February. The Hammers currently lie in fourth, having
been top just a few weeks ago, and Phillips is urging his players to improve
their form in a bid to finish in those places. "If we keep playing in that
vein, it'll be us who misses out. I know that fact and I hope the players
realise it. "I think other teams have maybe analysed us and looked at the
way we play and that's fair enough. But it's up to our players to stand up
to that and be counted."

This Saturday's U18 Premier League South match between West Ham United U18s
and Fulham kicks off at 11am at Little Heath. Parking and admission are both
free.

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Slaven Bilic: West Ham's mistakes hurt us in EFL Cup tie we wanted to win –
but we will be ready for Arsenal
SLAVEN BILIC
Evening Standard

There is no doubt we contributed to our own downfall against Manchester
United on Wednesday. After showing a lot of character in our 1-1 draw up
there on Sunday, our 4-1 EFL Cup quarter-final defeat was very
disappointing. When you play at such a difficult away ground as Old
Trafford, against such difficult opponents as United, you cannot afford to
give them any freebies, such as the goals we conceded at the start of both
halves. They took an early lead, we had to open up a bit more and they are
waiting for you — they are great in transition. We came back into it, we
scored an equaliser and at half-time we said we cannot make the same mistake
again — but we did. They can score a cracker of a goal, of course, but when
you give away not one but two goals like this you will end up with nothing,
which is what happened. What made things even worse was that we picked up
two more injuries — to Aaron Cresswell and Michail Antonio.
Some clubs, including Arsenal, who we meet tomorrow, made lots of changes
but that is up to them, they have their priorities and we have ours. I
didn't want to rest too many players for this game. It was the quarter-final
of the EFL League Cup for heaven's sake and I don't subscribe to the view
that players can't play three games in a week. Maybe it would be a problem
if it was every week but every now and then it should be possible. There are
risks, though. When we played Chelsea in the cup, our preparation for the
following Premier League game at Everton was jeopardised more than a little
bit.
It cost us in the end, maybe because we couldn't last 90 minutes while
Everton were rested. What is the point of competing in the cups, though, if
you are not going to try to win them? We are not lying to the players and to
the media when we say we want to approach these games in a positive way.
It's important for the club, for the fans and for us personally. Wednesday
night was a massive game for us.
Looking forward, we have to make some late decisions on a few players. I
have spoken to Aaron and he said he just felt tightness in his groin. He was
worried that, if he had stayed on, he could have suffered a significant
injury. Then we have Diafra Sakho and I am gutted for him and us because he
showed how important he can be. Like Aaron, though, he has come back from a
long injury and then sometimes you can be susceptible to further problems.
As for Andy Carroll, he is fit, he trained this week with no reaction and we
want to make him ready for tomorrow's match if possible. We know it will be
another tough game but that is nothing new, after Spurs and two matches at
United.
Are Arsenal better than last season when they finished second in the Premier
League? It's perhaps still too early to say and, to be fair, they have been
playing the same kind of football for the last 20 years. Whether they are
going through great spells or something not quite as good, Arsene Wenger has
always stuck to his philosophy. He likes to buy the same kind of players and
once they are at the club, they play the same way. Every year they are
realistic contenders for the title, no more so than last year when they
overtook their great rivals Spurs. Now they sit just three points behind
leaders Chelsea and they have qualified for the next stages of the Champions
League. That is why they rested so many players for their quarter final
against Southampton – their priorities are the Premier League and Europe. We
don't have a lot of time to prepare but we will be ready. We have shown,
against both Spurs and Manchester United in the Premier League, that we can
compete with anyone if we play well.

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West Ham United v Arsenal
SAT, 03 DEC 2016PREMIER LEAGUE
17:30
Venue: London Stadium
BBC.co.uk

TEAM NEWS

West Ham will be without top scorer Michail Antonio and defender Aaron
Cresswell after both suffered groin injuries in the midweek EFL Cup defeat.
That could mean a start for left-back Arthur Masuaku, who has just returned
after a two-month lay-off.

Arsenal will be without Mathieu Debuchy, who will be sidelined for up to six
weeks with a hamstring injury. Olivier Giroud is doubtful with a groin
problem, while Santi Cazorla faces three months out after ankle surgery.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

Jonathan Pearce: "This is where West Ham need Andy Carroll fit and firing
against Arsenal defenders who haven't relished his physical threat. "The
Hammers' last three league performances deserved more than two points but
they're still in trouble. "The EFL Cup hammering at Manchester United left
them looking crumpled. There's too much talk about Dimitri Payet leaving in
January. A win here would have an uplifting effect. "But Arsenal are
unbeaten away in the league since February and haven't lost at West Ham in a
decade. They played a shadow side in midweek, will be fresher and should
have too much creativity and movement. They're a better side away."

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on the end of his side's 19-game unbeaten run:
"I don't think I can moan about the momentum in the Premier League. "I knew
that in the League Cup that could happen, but it was more disappointing to
lose the game than the run we had.
"We want to keep the run in the Premier League going now."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Arsenal have not been at their best in recent weeks but they have got enough
about them to find a way to collect three points.

Prediction: 0-2

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Arsenal have won nine of the last 11 Premier League meetings - but only
earned a point from last season's two fixtures.
The Gunners are unbeaten in eight league visits to West Ham (W6, D2).
West Ham have let in two or more goals in each of their last seven home
Premier League games against Arsenal.
West Ham United

West Ham are without a win in four Premier League games (D2, L2).
All three of their league wins this season have been by 1-0 scorelines.
The Hammers have lost 10 points from winning positions, more than any other
Premier League side.
Dimitri Payet has created 46 chances in the Premier League this season, 11
more than any other player.
Arsenal

Arsenal are unbeaten in 12 Premier League matches (W8, D4).
The Gunners have gone 11 away matches without defeat in the division since
losing at Old Trafford in February.
Arsenal have scored six headed goals in this season's Premier League - only
Crystal Palace (seven) can better that.
Theo Walcott has scored five goals against West Ham in the Premier League,
the most against any opponent he has faced.
Olivier Giroud has been involved in more Premier League goals from the bench
than any other player this season (three goals, one assist).

SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 1-1 Probability of draw: 24%
Probability of home win: 22% Probability of away win: 54%
SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale
at the University of Salford that is used to predict the outcome of football
matches.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Man Utd 4-1 West Ham Utd (And Other Ramblings)
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 2nd December 2016
By: HeadHammerShark


1. Winter Is Here

A friend of mine once said that if you're ever unsure whether to read a
book, then check to see if it has a map of an imaginary land in the front.
If it does, bin it. Sadly, I ignored this rather sage advice a few years
ago, and embarked upon the Song of Ice and Fire books that later spawned the
Game of Thrones TV show.

They started well, interesting and lively, and then gradually lost their
lustre over time as all the stuff that made them good in the first place was
replaced with overblown self important ideas as the author began to believe
in his own infallibility. You're probably beginning to see where this is
going.

If you follow the books then you'll know that the Starks have a saying -
"Winter Is Coming" - and are currently having a bit of trouble with
marauding hordes from the North.

So, yeah, having watched this pitiful capitulation tonight, I think it's
safe to say that winter is here.

2. Ours Is The Fury

Let's not beat about the bush here, West Ham were fucking abject tonight.
I'm well aware that I wrote only two days ago about how I would prioritise
the Arsenal game over this game, and I stand by that. As this 90 minute
nightmare shows, we are not very good, but not prioritising a game is a long
way from not trying.

From the start, there was absolutely no sense of belief that we would get
anything from this fixture. Whatever brittle confidence existed disappeared
as Ibrahimovic gave Man United the lead after just 90 seconds. In fairness
it was a well crafted goal as Rooney and Mkhitaryan combined beautifully to
allow the Swede to lift it over the advancing (and apparently newly
qualified as a ninja) Adrian.

Michail Antonio was on the wrong side of his man once again, but there's not
actually any point in saying that any more as it happens all the time and by
this stage we all realise that an actual functioning right back would be
significantly more useful to us in defensive areas than Antonio. In fact, a
life size cardboard cut out of Desmond Tutu would be more use to us back
there than Antonio, but I digress.

Our only attack of the first half, indeed perhaps the entire game, got us on
level terms but once we conceded immediately after the restart that was all
she wrote.

I can take losing, for I am a West Ham fan, and if I couldn't then the last
thirty five years would have been a very difficult time indeed. But I like
to see some fight in my team. It's OK for me to not think we can win tonight
as I am not being paid to do so. These guys are professionals. The very
least they owe us is to work hard, be diligent, maybe run about a bit and to
perhaps mark ANTHONY F*CKING MARTIAL FROM TIME TO TIME.


3. Family, Duty, Honour

Dimitri Payet didn't look happy tonight. Or indeed interested. His run and
shot led to the first goal, but after Fletcher poked in the rebound the
Frenchman just ran off as though he was seriously pissed off with missing
The Missing. Now look, maybe he is, although you'd think he's been here long
enough to figure out Sky +, but then maybe his planner is full of shit like
Strictly Come Dancing and I'm Willing To Do Anything To Get On TV….Get Me
Out Of Here like mine is and he doesn't have room to record anything decent.


But if he's upset at his own situation, I find it hard to blame him. The
team around him last year got to 7th in the league and within proper
refereeing reach of the Champions League.

Suddenly that has disappeared. Gone are players as good as Alex Song and
Victor Moses, and in have come a succession of players who, at least
currently, don't look remotely up to the task. With the usual slew of
injuries (and two more tonight won't help) he has gone from the highs of
last season and Euro 2016 to a relegation fight. I can see why he might be
pissed off. I know I am.

But he can't do what he did tonight. This was a 76 minute resignation
letter.

I can take that he gave the ball away for the second goal - that's how he
plays. He's Dimitri Payet, he plays in places other people don't dare and we
can't grumble when it fails occasionally as we all know the deal. But when
you give the ball away, at least track back. Don't just impersonate Andros
Townsend at an England squad get together and stand there pointlessly, miles
from anyone. Track back, work hard. Tackle.

I L.O.V.E Payet but he can't do that again. However underwhelmed he is by
the team around him, he has to get on with it. I have written before that
his sale was inevitable once it became clear that we were going to be a
bottom half team this season, but what we cannot afford now is for Payet to
go into a tailspin in pursuit of a move in January. I suspect this will be
another reason we'll spend heavily (and stupidly) next month.

Maybe this is all a massive overreaction and he'll be back to his brilliant
best on Saturday and you'll all laugh at me and point, and everyone will
just move on, but I'm not sure. His body language last night was terrible.
He looked like I do when my wife forces me to go to Dunelm Mill.

This is the problem with being a one man team. If that man isn't there, then
suddenly you're a no man team. You're Hull.


4. Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken

So most of this article was initially taken up by me calling the entire team
a load of shithousing twatbadgers over and over again. Eventually my wife
looked up from Grey's Anatomy and told me to stop saying it out loud as she
was finding it hard to hear the inane shit they were over emoting on screen.
I found that ironic as our long litany of injuries would probably be deemed
a bit unbelievable by the folks who write Grey's Anatomy, a show that is so
bonkers that the doctors actually own the hospital.

Three hamstring injuries, you say? In a week? Seems a bit unlikely


I decided at that point to leave the column until today when I would have
likely calmed down and would stop calling them shithousing twatbadgers and
instead moved on to calling them a useless gaggle of overpaid fuckhawks.

Excluded from my tirade, however, is Adrian. It may seem odd to say that of
a goalkeeper who conceded four times, but without him it would be have been
substantially more. He made a remarkable double save from Ibrahimovic
shortly after the opener, and thereafter repelled everything Man United
threw at him. Which was quite a bit, because all their strikers score
against us ALL THE TIME.

He did have quite a bit to do all night, largely as a result of our defence
apparently going on hunger strike at half time, but he made plenty of saves
and generally showed the right type of response to being dropped.

His opposite number David de Gea, by contrast, spent the entire evening
shivering and thinking "I bet it's not like this in Madrid". When called
upon for the only time all game he fumbled a shot from Payet, and Fletcher
slid in the equaliser from the rebound.

Some food for thought - these were our only two shots on goal, meaning that
Man United could have played this game without a goalkeeper and it still
would have finished 4-1. Somewhere Glenn Roeder is nodding approvingly.


5. Fire And Blood

It might be 2016, but how different was this to the Allardyce era or any
other the other numerous pitiful capitulations of years past? I think that's
what is making me so angry about this performance – we were supposed to be
past this now. Gone were the days of turning up at big away games and hoping
to keep the score down and not get any injuries. Now we were going to punch
back, and that's exactly what we did last year.

Whether you believe that it was all luck, or smoke and mirrors, or deep
voodoo shit it doesn't really matter as it all did actually happen. We took
points from every team in the division, and most importantly found a way of
playing away from home. That was crucial as we knew we were going to be
giving up a lot of our home advantage in the move to the new stadium.

But this game just reverted back about ten years. We would have destroyed
Allardyce for this, excoriated Roeder, lamented Redknapp's defensive flaws
and probably congratulated Grant because at least we scored a goal.

This was directionless garbage, with no obvious attacking plan and no clear
sense of how we ever intended to win a game that had to be settled on the
night. There was something to commend in surviving the first half barrage,
but that was mostly luck and good goalkeeping. After half time we collapsed
like a Pogba, and in the end were grateful to keep it to four.

I keep returning to this point, but I think it's worth considering - can you
remember Southampton playing like this away from home recently? We came up
together and yet the two sides couldn't be further apart in terms of how
they are run, and how they are performing. I acknowledge we have injuries,
and this team included some reserves, but still. Directionless garbage.

On the plus side however, this wasn't even our worst league cup performance
in Manchester in the last three years. After all, who can forget Roger the
Relegator and the boys and their plucky 9-0 aggregate defeat to Man City in
2014?


6. The Winds Of Winter

With winter here, the fixture list is yet again playing havoc. After we get
through Arsenal and Liverpool (a point, a point, my kingdom for a point!) we
have a stretch of seven games where we play:

Burnley (h); Hull (h); Swansea (a); Leicester (h); Man Utd (h); Palace (h);
'Boro (a)

So that's six of the current bottom eight, and Man Utd at home which is
always a bit of a barnburner. As much as we've been dreading the current run
of games, this is really where our season will be settled.

A good run here and we can pull away from the dross and concentrate on
trying to convince Payet that while Madrid is nice in summer, it doesn't
have anywhere near the same access to top quality tanning salons like
Loughton does. If we revert back to our early season inconsistency, however,
then you could very easily see us getting dragged into a fight for which we
are absolutely not prepared.

This is where January will be important and, as I explain here, absolutely
terrifying. You'll see there that I predict David Sullivan is going to do
something full on barking mad in January and it doesn't look like he's going
to disappoint. Buckle up kids, Sully's going shopping!


7. The Old Gods And The New

As is customary at this time of year, and required under Subsection E
(4)(ii) of Premier League rules, West Ham players are starting to get
injured. This is only remarkable in the sense that it is not remarkable at
all. There is no point bemoaning injuries as West Ham pick them up like an
American Civil War battalion. That said, I have long thought that we have a
ludicrous injury record, so I went to physioroom.com and had a scout around
to see whether we are really worse than the average Premier League team.

Starting only at August 15 2015 I took the last eighteen months as my sample
size. This is not suitable for a proper study as it's not big enough, and
also because that website lists literally anything that a player reports,
even if it doesn't keep them from missing a game.

However, as a quick and dirty exercise it seemed as good a way as any so I
ploughed on, and uncovered the following:

Over that time West Ham suffered 77 injuries, shown here:

Injury Number
Knock 14
Hamstring 13
Knee 10
Ankle/Foot 7
Thigh Muscle Strain 6
Muscular 5
Hip/Thigh 5
Groin/Pelvis 4
Calf/Shin 3
Eye 2
Illness 2
Heel 1
Concussion 1
Back 1
Facial 1
Hand 1
High Ankle prain 1


Not all of these are created equal, of course, but you will remember the
High Ankle Sprain as that was Payet when Everton took him out last year, and
the back injury is Sakho and his vertebrae made out of blancmange. There is
also an eye wateringly high number of hamstring and muscle injuries. I'm not
a doctor, you'll be shocked to learn, but I'm beginning to wonder if anyone
at West Ham is either. This seems an unnecessarily high volume of players
lost to injuries that seem like they should be more preventable. Maybe the
medical types among you could opine, but this just feels like the kind of
area where marginal gains could be very easily made.

I did the same quick scan for some other clubs, because you need some kind
of frame of reference here, and found the following:

Spurs had 76 injuries in the same time (Danny Rose being the best, listed
with "fatigue" having presumably exhausted himself running after referees
demanding other players be booked) but notably only 6 hamstring injuries.

Leicester had just 43, also with only 6 hamstring injuries although it
should be noted that they sold the souls of all their players in order to
get such luck as part of their Faustian league title win.

Free flowing entertainers West Brom had 54 injuries, with 12 hamstring
problems, and also the only player who had to be sent to Fat Camp, so huge
kudos to Saido Berahino on that front.

What does all that mean? Probably nothing, but in a very quick survey of
four teams we had the most injuries and specifically the most hamstring
strains. We do have Carroll and Sakho, who are like the Messi and Ronaldo of
this particular league, but that is still an impressive haul of maladies.

He's not even injured. He just looks like that.

8. Hardhome

For all that it might not seem it, our home form is what will keep us up. We
have so far taken eight points from our home fixtures and four on our
travels .Admittedly we've played much easier teams at home, but we've been
equally shit everywhere we've played so I'm not sure that's mattered.

It doesn't seem like it right now, but the London Stadium is our friend. In
that run of seven games where we participate in the Premier League Survival
of the Unfittest, five of the matches are at home.

Arsenal will be an interesting test in that regard. Our best performance of
the season was against Chelsea, under lights and at home. If we can
regenerate that atmosphere, and find two functioning full backs, then we
might have a shot on Saturday. I doubt it, as Arsenal have had the wood on
us for years, but anything is possible.

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the
author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be
attributed to, KUMB.com.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Carroll in Arsenal squad
KUMB.com
Filed: Friday, 2nd December 2016
By: Staff Writer

Slaven Bilic has confirmed that Andy Carroll will be in the match day squad
to face Arsenal at the Olympic Stadium tomorrow.

The 27-year-old striker has been out of contention since August but returns
to face the side against whom he scored his most recent career hat-trick,
back in April in the 3-3 draw.

And Bilic believes the forward has the ability to cause the Champions League
contenders serious problems, despite having not played for West Ham since
sustaining an injury during the Europa League tie against Astra Giurgiu back
in August.

"He's a player that offers something special," Bilic said during his
pre-match press conference.

"He is one of the reasons why we were so prolific last season in front of
goal, why we were so versatile, so dangerous, why we scored so many goals
and why we finished so high.

"He played a great game against Arsenal [back in April]. It was basically
him who brought us back in that game before half-time with two goals, and he
went on to score a hat-trick.

"If you ask me what he's capable of, that's one of the greatest examples. No
centre-back feels comfortable when he's close to the goal and the ball is in
the air."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Slaven Bilic pays tribute to Andy Carroll ahead of West Ham striker's return
By Andy Charles
Last Updated: 02/12/16 3:39pm
SSN

Slaven Bilic is pleased to have Andy Carroll back in his West Ham squad to
face Arsenal as he feels the oft-injured striker "offers something special."

Carroll's most recent career highlight came in April and it was the Gunners
on the receiving end as the England international scored a hat-trick in a
thrilling 3-3 draw in one of the last games played at Upton Park.

He continued as a regular member of Bilic's side for the remainder of last
season but his injury problems have struck again in 2016-17, with Carroll
suffering a knee injury at the end of August in his most recent appearance
in the Europa League against Domzale.

Surgery has kept him sidelined for three-and-a-half months but he is now
ready to return, coming back at a time when West Ham are in need of a win in
the Premier League, something they have not managed since October 22.

And Bilic is pinning his hopes on Carroll hitting the ground running, as
well as avoiding another lengthy absence in a career that has, thus far,
proved stop-start.

Bilic said: "He's a player that offers something special, he is one of the
reasons why we were so prolific last season in front of goal, why we were so
versatile, so dangerous, why we scored so many goals and why we finished so
high.

"He played a great game against Arsenal where we didn't start well, we were
two down and didn't play good.

"It was basically him who brought us back in that game before half-time with
two goals, and he went on to score a hat-trick. If you ask me what he's
capable of, that's one of the greatest examples.

"You can simply be very dangerous in the box if he's playing there because
he occupies basically the whole box.

"From anywhere in the box when you put a cross in, a half-decent one, he
makes it a good ball and the defences have to take care of him. No
centre-back feels comfortable when he's close to the goal and the ball is in
the air."

The game will be Carroll's first in the Premier League at the London
Stadium, and Bilic hopes for an exciting - as well as safe - atmosphere in
such a high-profile fixture.

Their move to the former Olympic Stadium has been hit with trouble, most
notably at the EFL Cup clash with Chelsea, although vice-chairman Karren
Brady said on Thursday said there had to be some "perspective" on what she
described as "teething problems."

And Bilic added: "We feel their support and their presence and I just want
them to be behind us like they were against Chelsea, Sunderland, Stoke, and
without causing any problems or trouble.

"I'm sure that tomorrow's going to be a very sporting atmosphere."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's "unstoppable" Andy Carroll backed to cause Arsenal more chaos in
London derby
The England striker scored a hat-trick against the Gunners last season and
is set to return to the Hammers side after injury as they face Arsene
Wenger's men
22:30, 2 DEC 2016UPDATED17:10, 2 DEC 2016
The Mirrro

Slaven Bilic has backed his "unstoppable" Andy Carroll to lift West Ham's
players and fans – and cause more chaos in the Arsenal defence. The England
striker has been out since August with a knee injury suffered in the Europa
League – but not out of the headlines. Last month he was threatened at
gunpoint by a gang of robbers outside the West Ham training ground. But at
the London Stadium tonight, Carroll will go from the hunted to the hunter
against an Arsenal side he scored a thumping hat-trick against last season.
"He was unstoppable that day - it was probably one of his best game for West
Ham and during his career," said Bilic.
"He scored a hat-trick and had another goal disallowed. If you ask me what
he's capable of that's one of the greatest examples. "I was a defender and
no defender is comfortable when he is in the box. He occupies basically the
whole box. "From anywhere when you put the ball a half decent ball in the
box, he makes it a good ball and the defences have to take care of him, have
to think about him being there. He is one them, that makes an impact on the
crowd, on the opponent, on his team-mates."

Carroll's return is a boost after the midweek EFL Cup defeat at Manchester
United which saw injuries to Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell. The big
worry for Hammers fans is the injury-jinxed striker will soon rejoin them in
the treatment room. "All he needs is to feel good in his body," Bilic added.
"I've been saying this for a year and a half now his only problem is that he
has been unlucky to get injured." The 16th-placed Hammers need to make their
own luck quickly after five games without a win – and with a trip to Anfield
next weekend. "There's no reason to panic, especially when we played well,
but we can't relax and say "it's going to come", because it ain't going to
come by itself," the Croat admitted. Tonight will be the biggest Premier
League game at West Ham's new home – and the first London derby there since
the October clash with Chelsea. "I'm sure that tomorrow's going to be very
sporting atmosphere," Bilic said.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham v Arsenal preview: Andy Carroll in contention for Hammers
Last Updated: 02/12/16 1:55pm
SSN

Andy Carroll is in line to make his long-awaited return from injury when
West Ham face Arsenal on Saturday evening. The striker has not featured
since mid-August due to a knee injury and has played only once in the
Premier League this season. Hammers boss Slaven Bilic says Carroll is "not
ready to play 90 minutes but he is ready to make an impact". His return
comes at a good time for the Hammers, with Diafra Sakho ruled out until the
new year and Simone Zaza still struggling to find his feet since his summer
loan move from Juventus. West Ham start the weekend just a point above the
relegation zone having drawn two and lost two of their last four matches.
Arsenal have injury problems of their own after the news that Santi Cazorla
is facing three months on the sidelines after ankle surgery while Mathieu
Debuchy is out for six weeks with a hamsting injury. And although they went
unbeaten in the Premier League during November, they only won one of their
three matches. They were also knocked out of the EFL Cup on Wednesday after
losing 2-0 at home to Southampton in the quarter-finals.

Team news

With Sakho out, Slaven Bilic might choose between Ashley Fletcher and
Carroll to lead the line. Full-backs Aaron Cresswell and Michail Antonio
should both be fit after being taken off with injuries in the midweek EFL
Cup defeat to Manchester United while Andre Ayew is a doubt.

Arsenal will be without Cazorla, Decuchy, Hector Bellerin (ankle), Per
Mertesacker and Danny Welbeck (both knee) while Mohamed Elneny (ilness) and
Olivier Giroud (groin) face fitness tests.

Opta stats

West Ham were unbeaten against Arsenal last season (W1 D1), something they
hadn't done since 2006/07.

The Gunners didn't lose any of their final eight league trips to Upton Park
(W6 D2).

West Ham have let in two or more goals in each of their last seven home
Premier League games against Arsenal.

Arsenal have conceded five goals across their last two league meetings with
West Ham; as many as they had in their previous nine beforehand.

Theo Walcott has scored five goals against West Ham in the Premier League;
the most against any opponent he has faced.

West Ham have lost 25 Premier League games against Arsenal; their joint-most
against a single opponent in the competition along with Man Utd.

Dimitri Payet has created 46 chances in the Premier League this season, at
least 11 more than any player.

Paul Merson's prediction

What is happening at West Ham? They came away with a point at Old Trafford
but didn't deserve it. They rode their luck and then they were so poor in
the cup game. However, this isn't a gimme for Arsenal as West Ham will make
them work hard for it and it could be interesting to see if Andy Carroll is
fit to start. He will cause problems. It's easy to forget that Arsenal
struggled for long periods against Bournemouth and Sunderland. But I fancy
they may just nick this one.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (8/1 with Sky Bet)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
It could take West Ham years to get used to the London Stadium, warns
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
Wenger has never visited the London Stadium before but believes West Ham's
move is similar to when Arsenal arrived at the Emirates Stadium
The Mirror
BYNEIL MCLEMAN
10:34, 2 DEC 2016UPDATED11:00, 2 DEC 2016

Arsene Wenger has warned West Ham it could take "years" for them to get used
to their new London Stadium. Arsenal have not won the Premier League since
moving to the Emirates in 2006 – and finished 21 points behind champions
Manchester United down in fourth place in their first season in their new
ground. After qualifying for the Europa League last season, West Ham are
fighting the drop down in 16th after problems on and off the pitch in
Stratford. Wenger, who has never visited the London Stadium, said: "Before,
we knew exactly what was expected of us at West Ham. "I preferred the first
version of the West Ham stadium, when it was very tight. When they built a
new stand the distances were a bit bigger and that probably made the first
one the most intimidating stadium I knew. "It's a bit like when we moved to
the Emirates. You feel a bit like you're playing on neutral ground for a
while. After that, the best way to prepare is just to focus on what we do
and focus in a very strong way. "It takes a few years to make it your new
home, because you have to make memories and build a little history. For a
while, when you move from the marble hall at Highbury, it was full of
history, and suddenly you move to a stadium where nothing happened before
you came in there. "You feel a bit lonely there, so you have to rebuild the
environment from the results that you had before. for the supporters it is
the same: they sat every time next to the same guy, and they talk and say:
'Remember last time we were here, we beat this team' and then suddenly they
sit away from them [in the new stadium]. "You can try to help as a manager,
but you cannot create something artificially something that doesn't exist. I
feel as well the players o the ground, before when you played at Highbury,
you kind of had a picture. "When you play up front you know where the goal
is, because the signals coming from the crowd, you know where the adverts
are and sometimes you have no time to make your decision, but you have a
geographical reference when you stand on the pitch that is linked to the
stadium. "You have to recreate that."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Sturridge exit a non-story, says Klopp
442.com

Daniel Sturridge has been linked with a move away from Liverpool, but
manager Jurgen Klopp says the rumours are a non-story. Liverpool manager
Jurgen Klopp reacted with derision when asked if Daniel Sturridge will be
sold in the January transfer window, insisting it does not make sense to
allow any of his first-team players to leave. Sturridge has not been an
automatic starter at Anfield this season, with Philippe Coutinho, Roberto
Firmino and Sadio Mane having formed an impressive front three in the
Premier League. The England international has consequently been linked with
a move away from Merseyside next month, and West Ham are reportedly
interested in signing the former Chelsea striker. But Klopp dismissed that
suggestion and said there are no plans for any player to head for the
Anfield exit door. "The funny thing is you create stories that aren't
stories, then you ask me about the stories that aren't stories," he told a
news conference ahead of Sunday's match against Bournemouth. "There is
absolutely no idea to sell anybody from the first-team squad. It wouldn't
make sense."
While Sturridge is set to stay at Anfield, he has not recovered from the
tight calf that saw him miss out against Sunderland and Leeds United in
Liverpool's last two matches. "Daniel is not in training," Klopp added.
"That's what I'm most concerned about, more than transfer rumours. "I'm
prepared for January. What you ask me will be funny I'm sure."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp rules out Daniel Sturridge sale in January
amid West Ham interest
Chris Bascombe
2 DECEMBER 2016 • 11:22AM
telegraph.co.uk

Jurgen Klopp has ruled out any chance of Daniel Sturridge leaving Liverpool
in January amid interest from West Ham. Sturridge is still injured and will
miss his side's trip to Bournemouth this weekend, but despite the
26-year-old being primarily a back-up option throughout this season the
Liverpool manager is adamant there will be no sale of any of his current
first team players. "There is absolutely no thought to sell any player from
the first team squad. I don't think it would make sense," said Klopp.
"Unfortunately Daniel is not in training now and that is what I am more
concerned about than any transfer rumours - but I am prepared for everything
you could ask me in January."
While Sturridge continues his recovering from a calf strain, Klopp confirmed
Adam Lallana is back in training. "Adam's first session was yesterday and it
was good but of course we need to see how he reacts to the intensity of the
training because it was quite intense for him," said Klopp. "Roberto
(Firmino) trained yesterday too. He still has a little bit of pain but it is
painful but not serious. He's quite a tough guy and came through the session
yesterday so we will see how he reacts." Klopp may also include teenager Ben
Woodburn in his travelling squad after the 17-year-old became the club's
youngest ever scorer, and he suggested Liverpool's Academy is the ideal
venue for developing young players. "I think we are 100 per cent the right
club for really young boys to develop, to improve and to be the best players
they can be," said Klopp. "We have a lot of these boys in the club and it is
up to us to create a situation where they can come through when they are
ready in the moment and we can use them. "There will be a few ups and downs
for sure but as long as you are in the right circumstances and the right
club then I would say everything would be good at the end. "We have no doubt
about the potential of these players: a lot of training, education and
attitude and you can get a decent player and that is what we are all working
on."

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West Ham vs Arsenal: Arsene Wenger warns Hammers to expect more London
Stadium misery after Emirates move
The Independent Online

Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, believes it will take years for West Ham
to settle and find their feet at their new home. Arsenal suffered teething
problems after moving from Highbury to the Emirates in 2006. That is
nothing compared to the issues at West Ham's Stratford base with the
problems lying deeper on and off the pitch at the London Stadium. Arsenal
head to struggling West Ham tomorrow, who have won just two league games on
home soil in four months, and Wenger said: "It takes a few years, because
you have to make memories and build a little history. "For a while, when
you move from the marble hall at Highbury, it was full of history, and
suddenly you move to a stadium where nothing happened before you came in
there. "You feel a bit lonely there, so you have to rebuild the environment
from the results that you had before. "For the supporters it is the same.
They sat every time next to the same guy, and they talk and say 'Remember
last time we were here, we beat this team' and then suddenly they sit away
from them. "You cannot create something artificially something that doesn't
exist. I feel as well the players at the ground, before when you played at
Highbury, you kind of had a picture. "When you play up front you know where
the goal is, because the signals coming from the crowd.
"You know where the adverts are and sometimes you have no time to make your
decision, but you have a geographical reference when you stand on the pitch
that is linked to the stadium. You have to recreate that."

Wenger confirmed Santi Cazorla will be sidelined for three months with a
foot injury. Cazorla, the Spanish midfielder, missed six months of last
season with a knee injury but Wenger will not look to replace the
influential playmaker. Asked if he is tempted to buy a replacement, Wenger
said: "No, not really. In midfield we have many players. "We have the
numbers and the quality and secondly, in the January transfer market, you
will not necessarily find a Cazorla, even if you want to. "What has gone
wrong is that he has an inflammation at the back of the foot and nobody
knows where it comes from. The anti-inflammatory injections have not got rid
of it.
"You always know the date of the surgery but never the date where the player
will play again. "For me it's very bad news. He's desperate to play
football. He's only happy on the football pitch. I've spoken to him of
course. "He himself wants to get out of that vicious circle of going out
and coming in again. He just wants to cure it.

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Arsene Wenger: What I really think about Slaven Bilic ahead of Arsenal's
trip to West Ham
ARSENE WENGER has spoke of his admiration for West Ham manager Slaven Bilic
ahead of Arsenal's trip to the London Stadium.
By DAVID WRIGHT
PUBLISHED: 09:48, Fri, Dec 2, 2016 | UPDATED: 09:57, Fri, Dec 2, 2016
Express.co.uk

Bilic enjoyed an impressive debut campaign at West Ham last season, guiding
the Hammers to a seventh-place finish in the Premier League. But the
Croatian boss has struggled to carry over West Ham's form this season, with
the east London outfit sitting just two points off the relegation zone.
Arsene Wenger admits he has been impressed by Bilic's impact at West Ham
ahead of their meet tomorrow (5.30pm) and expects the 48-year-old to turn
things around. "I have pity for every manager, but I think [Bilic] has done
a very good job there, he has built a good squad, and I'm sure it will come
out in the long distance"
The pair go up against each other on the back of defeats in the EFL Cup
quarter finals, with Southampton knocking out Arsenal and Manchester United
defeating West Ham. West Ham moved into the London Stadium from Upton Park
this season and Wenger insists it will take time to adjust to their new home
ground. Bilic's side have won just two of their six Premier League games on
home soil this season. The Frenchman added: "You have to build memories.
When we left Highbury [for the Emirates Stadium], it was full of history.
"When you move to a stadium where nothing happened, you feel a bit lonely,
you have to create it, and for the supporters it is the same."

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Police express fears over preventing violence at West Ham two days before
clash with Arsenal
Telegraph.co.uk
Ben Rumsby
1 DECEMBER 2016 • 9:30PM

One of the police's most senior match commanders has delivered a stark
warning about the problems of preventing violence at the London Stadium two
days before West Ham United's next derby clash there. Commander BJ
Harrington, of the Metropolitan Police, revealed the difficulties of keeping
law and order outside the club's new home ahead of Saturday's Premier League
visit of Arsenal.
The derby is the first there since the crowd trouble that marred West Ham's
EFL Cup win over Chelsea, which itself followed disorder at other matches
since their relocation from Upton Park. Giving evidence to the London
Assembly Police and Crime Committee, Harrington said: "If you are intent on
disorder, you can move around the stadium. Most stadia in London have
natural segregation; streets, buildings etc. A large space is very hard to
segregate because there are no natural barriers. Plus, it's still a novelty
to come to the London Stadium and people are coming to cause disorder.
"Whilst still unacceptable, the disorder, in comparison with other areas in
London, has not been not significant except at the Chelsea game. There have
been seven matches [out of 11] with no disorder reported."
Harrington revealed there were six arrests at the Chelsea match and 18 in
total at the stadium this season – nine of whom were West Ham supporters.
Some fans were arrested after CCTV footage was reviewed, bringing the total
to 27. There have been 71 banning orders, although some of those have been
successfully appealed against due to cases of mistaken identity. The West
Ham vice-chairman, Karren Brady, admitted there had been some "teething
problems" at the club's new home but called for some "perspective". She
added: "We are coming up to the halfway point of the season and there have
been 18 arrests at matches. At Arsenal last season there were 60, and at
Manchester United there were 57."

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Liverpool to snub West Ham interest in Daniel Sturridge as Jurgen Klopp
plans to keep striker at Anfield
England star Sturridge is top of their list and they are prepared to pay big
money to bring him in
BYDAVID MADDOCK
22:30, 1 DEC 2016
The Mirror

Liverpool are ready to resist renewed West Ham efforts to snatch Daniel
Sturridge in the January window. The struggling London club are desperate to
turn round their depressing run of form, and with fan unrest growing, they
want to make a statement when the transfer market opens again in the New
Year. England star Sturridge is top of their list, and they are prepared to
pay big money to bring in the proven goal-scorer, in an attempt to provide
the finishing power that has been sorely missing this season. Many fans feel
the Reds should listen to offers for the former Chelsea and Manchester City
man if it gets to the £25m level, but Kop boss Jurgen Klopp will slam the
door shut on any player – bar Mamadou Sakho – trying to exit in January.
Sturridge has started just four Premier League games this season, and only
once in the past two months, but Liverpool are facing a striker shortage in
January with Sadio Mane on Africa Cup of Nations duty. And that will see
Klopp say no to even an attempt to take his striker on a short-term loan
period when the window opens, especially because Brazilian star Philippe
Coutinho will not be fit by then, after being ruled out for five weeks with
an ankle ligament injury. Danny Ings is also sidelined for the rest of the
season, and Adam Lallana is only just returning after injury, leaving the
German coach with few options in January. In fact, he will not only spurn
West Ham's advances, but could also look to add to his squad rather than
deplete it, with a wide player capable of operating in a front three high on
his list of priorities. Sturridge has been disappointed with his lack of
opportunities this season and there have been some murmurs of discontent
within his camp, but he is likely to get a real chance over the next two
months, in the absence of Coutinho and then Mane.
That means he won't force the issue. He is currently recovering from a minor
calf strain, and should be available for the weekend visit to Bournemouth,
when Lallana is also expected to return after a two week absence. It will
still not stop West Ham trying to break the bank to land the goalscorer they
so desperately need, but they are unlikely to be persuasive enough to prise
the £150,000 a week striker away from Anfield.

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