Daily WHUFC News - 13th December 2017

West Ham United v Arsenal: All you need to know

Having bested Chelsea in the last match, West Ham United return to action just a couple of days later against Arsenal on Wednesday.

Read on for all the information you need ahead of this midweek fixture!

Where and when?

West Ham United will welcome Arsenal to London Stadium on Wednesday 13 December 2017, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm.

How to follow:

West Ham United v Arsenal will be shown live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 4k UHD, with coverage beginning at 7:15pm.
Live match updates will be provided through the official West Ham Twitter account.
You can also follow the game live via our Matchday Blog on whufc.com.
You can also follow the match on our official Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat channels.

Meet the opposition:

Team news:

David Moyes will offer an update on his team selection when he faces the media on Tuesday afternoon at Rush Green for his press conference.

The press conference is set to begin at 1.30pm on Tuesday.

What they say:
Now it's a busy month and we're going to have a game every three days so it's going to be hard. I'm going to work hard to make sure I'm ready for Wednesday!
Marko Arnautovic

Match Officials:

Referee: Jonathan Moss
Assistant Referees: Eddie Smart and Harry Lennard
Fourth Official: Craig Pawson
Last five meetings:
0:39

How to get there:
There are four Underground stations that supporters should utilise to reach London Stadium: Stratford Station, Stratford International, Hackney Wick and Pudding Mill Lane. All four are expected to be running with decent service on matchday.
By Train

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Betway Insider's View of the Opposition: Arsenal
WHUFC.com

Having recorded a brilliant 1-0 win over champions Chelsea on Saturday, West Ham will be confident of another upset when they host Arsenal on Tuesday night. The Gunners head to London Stadium on the back of a disappointing draw at Southampton, and will need to improve upon their recent performances away from home to have a chance of beating the Hammers, who look resolute and organised under David Moyes. Arsene Wenger's side have only won two of their eight Premier League away games this season, and they've already been beaten by Stoke, Liverpool, Watford and Manchester City on their travels.
They could be susceptible to a slow start against West Ham, given that they conceded after just 127 seconds against Southampton on Sunday and let in two goals in 11 minutes in their previous game against Manchester United. The Hammers broke the deadlock against Chelsea after just six minutes on Saturday, and that was the third time that they've scored in the first half in their last four games. There have been at least three goals scored in 10 of the last 11 meetings between these two sides, and it's safe to expect another high-scoring game on Tuesday night, given how open Arsenal have been this season.
The north Londoners are among the league's highest scorers with 30 goals in 16 games, but they've also let in eight in their last five away from home.
Shkodran Mustafi is likely to miss the game, leaving Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker to start alongside Nacho Monreal in the Arsenal back three.
To have a chance of taking all three points, West Ham will need to take advantage of that defensive fragility and build a healthy lead, given Arsenal's knack of scoring late goals. Olivier Giroud's 88th-minute equaliser at St Mary's was the Gunners' seventh goal in the final 10 minutes of matches this season, and they've notched three injury-time strikes in their last four away games in the league.

Recommended bets

West Ham to score in first half – 13/8
Arsenal to score between 76-90 mins – 8/5
Over 2.5 goals – 7/10

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Moyes: Enjoying the job, getting more out of Marko and respect for Wenger
WHUFC.com

David Moyes enjoyed speaking to the broadcast media ahead of Wednesday's Premier League derby with Arsenal at London Stadium. The West Ham United manager was all smiles after recording his first win as Hammers boss against champions Chelsea at the weekend. Now, with match-winner Marko Arnautovic returning to his best form, Moyes is relishing the midweek clash with old foe Arsene Wenger and the Gunners...

I enjoy that winning feeling

Saturday's win over Chelsea was my first as West Ham United manager and was certainly what I wanted from the game, and what the team wanted.
I could sense the team's attitude was improving all the time and we are having to change a few things around so, at the end of the game, it was a brilliant result for us to beat Chelsea at home. Chelsea had gone eight games unbeaten and had a really great record, so I'd have to say it was a great result for us and, in the end, hopefully it's a valuable three points come the end of the season. I don't know if there was a gloom when I took over, but I certainly arrived to work with a team that had struggled to win any games. I have to say I've really enjoyed my time here and I'm really enjoying coaching and working with them.
What I really enjoy is winning and I got a great win on Saturday to go with how I'm feeling!

Marko's form shows players are taking responsibility

People have commented positively about the form of Marko Arnautovic in recent matches. Ultimately, Marko has come as a big signing with big expectation here. Everybody knows he is a really good player, he was a really good player at Stoke City, maybe of a type, and we had to make sure we got at least out of him what he showed at Stoke City, and if we can get any more than even better. We've told the players we need to work a bit harder and play more together as a team and, if we do that will help us get results.
Am I more ruthless as a manager now than I have been in my previous roles? I could possibly say that but it's always been my style. Players have changed and sometimes they can't take it when they're getting it. In days gone by you'd hear all about hairdryers and all that, but the players are less and less accepting of that nowadays! I've had no real need to be ruthless since I've come to West Ham, though, because the players are giving great effort. If they didn't get their effort right, I'd certainly let them know. I said to the players when I came in, 'Don't be telling me at lunchtime that you're working too hard' because before it was down to them perhaps not doing enough. Players have to take a bit of responsibility as well.

We'll have to work hard to keep Arsenal out

If you talk about Arsenal, they're a really good football team with excellent players in their side, but we need to find a way of getting a result. That's what we have to do here at West Ham. We're in a run of really difficult games. We picked up three vital points on Saturday and we're aware of Arsenal's qualities and, if we can score another early goal, we'll be thrilled.
Arsene Wenger has had great longevity and his energy to keep doing the job in a really difficult time for football coaches to be in a job so long, he's done a brilliant job at Arsenal over the years and I respect him for the work he does. I want to beat his Arsenal teams every time I play them but I have to admire anybody who can put that amount of effort and energy into one club. I really like Aaron Ramsey and it will undoubtedly be to Arsenal's detriment if he is not available for Wednesday's game. I tried to sign him for Everton before he went to Arsenal and he's turned out to be a terrific player, as everybody knows.
Jack Wilshere is also an excellent footballer, but maybe had a few injury problems have kept him back a little bit. I'm not an expert on Arsenal and I couldn't tell you if they are a better side with Aaron Ramsey or Jack Wilshere, but whoever will be play will be good players. Olivier Giroud scored against me last year at Sunderland. He's important for Arsenal and gives them another option, but who knows if he'll start after he scored off the bench on Sunday?
Overall, they've got good forwards and a good team and we'll have to work hard to keep them out.

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Team news: Kouyate back in training, Chicharito and Carroll getting fitter
WHUFC.com

David Moyes could name an unchanged starting XI for West Ham United's Premier League derby with Arsenal on Wednesday.
The manager reported a clean bill of health from his team following Saturday's outstanding 1-0 victory over champions Chelsea, with Michail Antonio fit for selection after being forced off through sheer exhaustion against the Blues. Fellow forwards Chicharito and Andy Carroll are getting fitter as they continue their respective returns from injury, while midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate has returned to full training after missing the weekend win with a knock picked up at Manchester City. Only Swiss midfielder Edimilson Fernandes, who was an unused substitute at the weekend, looks set to miss the visit of the Gunners after suffering an ankle injury in training on Monday. "Cheikhou has returned a little bit to training, so we're hoping we can get him back quite quickly," Moyes told broadcasters at his pre-match press conference. "Obviously Chicharito and Andy Carroll were back on the bench at the weekend. "James Collins is coming on a little bit as well, but he won't be ready for the game. We've got a couple of long-termers [in Sam Byram and Jose Fonte], so we're pretty much as we were, really."The only one who is a little doubt is Edi Fernandes, who hurt his ankle in training. That's it."

The manager was also asked about the goalkeeping situation and responded by saying that, while Adrian is the man in possession of the gloves for now, Joe Hart can expect to be called upon again as the season progresses. Moyes also dismissed speculation that the England international's loan deal might be terminated in January. "I'm sure Joe has been No1 throughout his career, wherever he has been, and there has been somebody else who has worked alongside him. "At this moment in time, Adrian went in goal at Man City and played well and he did so again on Saturday. I am sure Joe will give Adrian all the respect from that position. "Joe is good in the dressing room, he's a really good guy and his level experience and the games and competitions he has played in are important for us and I can tell you now that he'll play a lot of games for West Ham between now and the end of the season. "I hope Adrian keeps playing well, but there will be games for Joe. Adrian is going to have to play well. I'm really pleased I have two good goalkeepers and them to be competitive. Joe is here and if I'm correct I don't think his loan contract allows him to go back anyway."My job is to pick the West Ham team and not pick the England team. Gareth Southgate is a really good coach and he'll know exactly what he wants."

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Antonio: West Ham fans have important role to play vs Arsenal
WHUFC.com

Michail Antonio has hailed the support the West Ham United fans offer the team and has called on them to play an 'important role' in Wednesday's Premier League clash with Arsenal. London Stadium omitted a thunderous noise on Saturday as supporters cheered the Hammers on to an impressive 1-0 victory over reigning Champions Chelsea, while the backing in recent matches against Leicester City and Manchester City has also been praised by manager David Moyes and other first team players. Antonio has added his voice to the list of individuals who have noted the incredible support from the West Ham faithful, revealing that the support serves as inspiration to himself and his teammates. The 27-year-old has called on the fans to again bring the noise against Arsenal, to push the Irons on to another victory.
When asked about the fans' support Antonio said: "It's massive. It gives us the extra 10% we need. We're out there and we're building. We've not been winning games so our confidence has been a bit low, so the fans being behind us gives us that lift, that extra boost, to go out there and run more and do more. "It's another London derby on Wednesday and the fans will have another important role to play – to make sure we can really hear them!"
The Hammers were hailed for their efforts in the victory against Chelsea but Antonio reckons that the bar was set in the trip to the Etihad Stadium a week prior. "I think we set the bar against Manchester City," Antonio added. "We showed we can press and can be in a game against the best. They are top of the league by eleven points and we've held them until 80-odds minutes. We showed our resiliency and then we've gone and beat the Champions. "We've set the bar and we don't want to drop the standards below it. We believe we can go out there, and as long as we have the work-rate, the fans are behind us, we can do it."
West Ham were on the receiving end of a pair of defeats at the hand of Arsenal last season but Antonio insists that it's not about what the Gunners can do, but what West Ham can instead do to Arsene Wenger's side. And the versatile forward is confident that he and his teammates will have a gameplan that can halt the north London side. He added: "It's not about what they do, it's about what we can do to them. That's exactly the thing we were concentrating on against City and what we were thinking about against Chelsea. "Everything we thought we could do to them, it worked for us, so we will have our game plan against Arsenal and we think it will work for us."

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Pearce: Competition between Adrian and Joe Hart is healthy for the Hammers
WHUFC.com

Stuart Pearce says competition for the No1 goalkeeping position between Adrian and Joe Hart can only be healthy for West Ham United. The Spaniard and England international have been vying for the starting spot in David Moyes' side in recent weeks, with Adrian replacing Hart when the latter's loan ruled in ineligible for the recent trip to Manchester City. The two-time Hammer of the Year runner-up produced a fine display at the Etihad Stadium and kept his place for Saturday's 1-0 win over Premier League champions Chelsea, with Hart making do with a place on the substitutes' bench.
Pearce, who handed a then-teenage Hart his Manchester City debut back in 2006 and later took him to two UEFA European Championship finals with England U21s, said the 30-year-old reacted positively to his demotion and expects him to fight hard to win a starting place back. At the same time, the coaching assistant believes Adrian will give everything to retain his current position in Moyes' XI "Firstly, I think the criticism he got, he's thought everyone in the team has got to take a responsibility when the team concedes goals," Pearce told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "He's been left very, very open. I covered a few games before I went in at West Ham and he's been left very vulnerable, there's no doubt about that. "I've got to say that we're in a situation here, like every other club, where everyone is competing for the jersey. I know Joe very well obviously from my time at City and England and he's the type of character who will roll his sleeves up. "We want two goalkeepers at this football club, at least, with a young goalkeeper pushing them as well, vying for the No1 jersey.
"I think Adrian played extremely well at Man City, and Joe wasn't dropped for that game obviously, because the loan situation meant he couldn't play, but every football club knows that competition for places is healthy and Joe knows he has to roll his sleeves up and fight to get his place back at club level, and also to keep his England place for the summer."

Speaking more generally about West Ham's improved resilience and physical output in their last two matches, Pearce says the squad as a whole have responded to the demand for hard work and intensity in every single training session. "David has asked them to up their performance, both on the training pitch and in matches as well and you've only got to look at the body language of Michail Antonio and Marko Arnatovic, as they put some miles in during the game on Saturday," he observed. "If you don't do that in this division, you're not going to win games. If you're one of the top six teams, you can turn up and play at 95 per cent and still win a game, but if you're not one of the top six, you've got to be flat out and more each week."

On Wednesday, West Ham face their third consecutive fixture against one of those 'top six' clubs, when they welcome Arsenal to London Stadium. And the England great and former Hammers defender expects the home side to produce another organised, disciplined and hard-working display against Arsene Wenger's talented Gunners. While some groups of players may resent being told to 'work hard first, express yourself second', Pearce says the West Ham squad have responded overwhelmingly positively to Moyes' message. "I think they can when they see results in terms of their performance and the results they get from that, if you like. "They have got to see that 'Hang on, the way you are asking me to play as an individual is getting the best out of me and the best out of the team' and the best way of doing that is through performances. There has been a decent feel-good factor around the last two performances, no doubt about that."

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Ogbonna: We need to focus for Arsenal test
WHUFC.com

Angelo Ogbonna is calling for more of the same when West Ham United take on Arsenal in their second London derby of the week on Wednesday. The Hammers saw off the challenge of Chelsea with a terrific performance at the weekend, protecting the lead given to them by Marko Arnautovic's early goal with aplomb to shut out the Premier League champions. That came hot on the heels of a similarly solid display at Manchester City, which could have yielded more than a 2-1 loss for the visitors, and Ogbonna says that level of focus is required again when the Gunners come to town. "We are already confident – we did really well against Manchester City," the defender said. "We didn't get any points that day, but we deserved the result against Chelsea. "We are looking at the present, not at what happened today or yesterday. We have to concentrate and step ahead again [when we play Arsenal]. "We did a really great job against Chelsea, not just in defending but for everyone. The way Michail Antonio ran in behind was fantastic for us, and for me personally, it was a huge game."We'll need the fans with us too, like they always are. We saw great support from the fans against Leicester and Chelsea and it's really important to have them behind us."

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West Ham United v Arsenal
WED 13 DEC 2017PREMIER LEAGUE
20:00
Venue: London Stadium
BBC.co.uk

TEAM NEWS

West Ham forward Javier Hernandez was an unused substitute at the weekend but could feature after five weeks out with a hamstring injury. Cheikhou Kouyate could return after a hamstring problem while Edimilson Fernandes's ankle will be assessed.

Arsenal will be without Aaron Ramsey, who sustained a hamstring injury in the weekend draw with Southampton. Shkodran Mustafi remains sidelined with a thigh problem while Santi Cazorla is a long-term injury absentee.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

Steve Bower: "Two weeks ago this looked a very different fixture. West Ham had just conceded four at Goodison Park and were seven games without a league win, while Arsenal had routinely put five past Huddersfield to stay in touch with the top four. "Since then, West Ham have pushed the leaders all the way and unexpectedly beaten the champions, but Arsenal have only picked up a point from their last two games and began the week out of the Champions League places. "The question now is whether the Hammers can use the win over Chelsea as a springboard to upset another of the big boys? "Saturday's win will provide a huge injection of belief and, after the weekend draw at Southampton, Arsenal will be fully aware of the need to get back on track."

Twitter: @SteveBowerComm

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

West Ham manager David Moyes on Adrian playing instead of Joe Hart: "There will be games for Joe and Adrian is going to have to play well. I'm lucky to have two good goalkeepers and at the moment Adrian has got the jersey. "My job is to pick the West Ham team, not to pick the England team."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "West Ham were unlucky against Manchester City and will be confident after Chelsea. They will be a tricky opponent."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

I am backing West Ham to get something against an Arsenal team who started slowly against Southampton on Sunday and ended up dropping more points.

Prediction: 1-1

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

West Ham's only win in the past 19 competitive meetings came at the Emirates Stadium in August 2015 (D3, L15).
The Hammers haven't beaten Arsenal at home in nine league games since a 1-0 win in 2006, when substitute Marlon Harewood scored a last-minute winner (D2, L7).
The last three top-flight games between these sides have produced 15 goals. Arsenal were 5-1 winners at the London Stadium last December, with Alexis Sanchez scoring a hat-trick.
West Ham United

The Hammers earned their first league win in nine attempts by beating Chelsea on Saturday (D3, L5).
It was also David Moyes' first victory in his fifth game in charge.
This will be an unprecedented 42nd consecutive Premier League matchday in which a team led by Moyes has started in the relegation zone.
West Ham's three Premier League wins have all come at home, having also beaten Huddersfield and Swansea.
The Hammers are aiming to win home matches against both Chelsea and Arsenal in the same season for the first time since 1986-87.
Arsenal

Arsenal have won just two of their eight top-flight away matches this season (D2, L4).
They have conceded 32 Premier League away goals in 2017. Only West Ham (35), Stoke and Watford (33 each) have let in more.
The Gunners could go three league games without a win for the first time since April.
Nine of Arsenal's 11 defeats in 2017 have come away from home.
Mesut Ozil has scored in his last three Premier League games against West Ham.

SAM's verdict
Most probable score: 0-1 Probability of draw: 23%
Probability of home win: 18% Probability of away win: 59%
SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) is a super-computer created by @ProfIanMcHale at the University of Liverpool that is used to predict the outcome of football matches.

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West Ham: Why has London Stadium move been so problematic?
By Simon Stone
BBC Sport

In May 2016, when West Ham were making their final preparations before completing their move to the London Stadium, co-owner David Sullivan addressed the thorny issue of leaving Upton Park. "Yes," he said, it was quite possible, indeed probable that "half of our fans don't want to move". But it would soon become apparent the decision was right, he insisted.
Citing modern transport links and better toilet facilities as obvious areas of improvement, Sullivan felt that, while not everything in their new home was perfect, particularly the distance from the main stand to the pitch, it would only take six months for supporters to be shown the wisdom of West Ham's momentous relocation This was the venue, after all, where Usain Bolt won three Olympic gold medals and Super Saturday became part of British sporting folklore. The transition is taking longer than Sullivan thought. West Ham are almost a season and a half into their settling-in period and it is fair to say no-one is entirely happy.

Rented offices and shuttle buses to the stadium

Part way through their debut campaign at the London Stadium, manager Slaven Bilic identified a problem. While the pitch size is a Premier League standard 105m x 68m, Bilic felt the green colour that surrounds it disorientated the players and made them feel the arena was bigger than it actually was.

Was it possible to have a different colour, he asked?

West Ham were willing to pay the £250,000 estimated cost and they suggested claret, which would at least give the space, which is needed for athletics events but an oddity in a football stadium, a homely look. The answer from the organisation that runs the stadium, E20, came back that it was not possible. West Ham could have blue, which was in keeping with the London Olympic venue, but nothing else. They decided to keep things as they were. It is just one of the inherent frustrations West Ham, as tenants, have with the stadium.

Last summer, after Pablo Zabaleta completed his move from Manchester City, the normal welcoming pictures were done from the London Eye. That was because apart from their normal office space, West Ham could not use the London Stadium, which had been turned into a building site as it was being used by UK Athletics in the build-up to the World Championships.

Staff members using West Ham's stadium office could not park in the normal car park and were offered the use of shuttle buses to get them from the alternative parking area.

Last month, the Hammers had to pay to use the stadium for David Moyes' unveiling as their new manager.

When £50,000 spirals to £11.8m

On 1 December, London mayor Sadiq Khan announced he had taken control of the stadium following publication of a review that was hugely critical of previous administrations. The review calculated that the stadium will lose £24m during the 2017-18 season. This deficit is largely due to a business plan that has proved to be wholly inadequate.

Turning the stadium into a football venue after the Olympics cost £323m rather than the projected £190m, which the review regarded as "unrealistic". In their own early bid to take over the running of the venue, Tottenham Hotspur said it would cost around £320m to knock the Olympic Stadium down and build a football-specific one on the same site.

Changing the seating arrangement for the 2017 World Athletics Championships and putting it back again was £11.8m. The initial budget from March 2013 had been £50,000. In business plans as recent as March 2016, the cost was budgeted at £300,000 even though the tender for the work exceeded £1m. The mayor's office has pledged to speak with West Ham and UK Athletics in a bid to "address flaws in the existing arrangements", reduce their own costs and make the stadium financially viable.

Toilets and tea - fans' goodwill disappearing fast

On Saturday, West Ham beat London rivals Chelsea 1-0. Along with a similar success against Tottenham in May, it was one of the few high spots since the club moved out of Upton Park. A crowd of 56,953 proved that, contrary to popular belief, the stadium is capable of generating a positive atmosphere. Yet the underlying view remains a negative one.

Mark Walker, interim chairman of the West Ham United Independent Supporters' Association, said that rather than getting used to their new surroundings, the opposite is now true. "A lot of the goodwill from before we moved in has been lost," he said. "Fans feel it has not lived up to the expectations or promises that were made."The transport links are not as good as anticipated. The distance between the pitch and the stands is too big. "The fans who sit at the back of the upper tier of the stand have no toilet. They can't get a cup of tea. "The idea of going into a new stadium was to attract more fans. For that to happen, you need success on the pitch, and results have been woeful. We are still third from bottom even after a tremendous result like beating Chelsea. If we lose to Arsenal on Wednesday and Stoke at the weekend, we could be bottom by Christmas."

'Upton Park wasn't the Upton Park of years ago'

Ken Dyer has been watching West Ham since the 1950s, first as a young boy with his dad, then as a highly-respected journalist for the London Evening Standard.
Dyer always felt moving away from such an iconic stadium as Upton Park would be fraught with difficulties, both emotional and physical. However, he does not feel the club had much choice given how top-flight football in England has evolved into far more than a Saturday afternoon out for a local fan. He said: "Upton Park is part of my life. It was a wrench to leave, like leaving a home you have been in for 40 years. "If you wanted an experience that was almost 100% different to Upton Park, this would be it, even though it is only three miles down the road. "But Upton Park wasn't the Upton Park I remember from years ago. It had lost a bit of its atmosphere. Most grounds have over the years. "There are fans, younger ones with families, who find the facilities at the London Stadium are so much better. "Gradually it is starting to feel like home. But sometimes it has been two steps forward and three back. It has taken a long time and they are not there yet."

Stuart Pearce returned to West Ham last month as assistant manager, rejoining a club he played for between 1999 and 2001. "It does feel like a different club," he said. "In many ways football clubs don't change their DNA. That comes from the terraces, the fans and the long-serving staff. "Lots of us in football have this rose-tinted vision of what things used to be like. But make no mistake, only a fraction of it was like our memory tells us it was. "West Ham have got a fantastic stadium and I think it's important that we create history in that stadium. There's nothing to be gained for West Ham by saying 'it's not a football stadium'. All that does is benefit the other 19 teams in the Premier League. "What we have to do is say 'this is our home, let's create some fantastic memories'. The two games we've played there since I returned, against Leicester and Chelsea, the crowd have been brilliant."

What happens next?

It is impossible to argue West Ham did not negotiate a great deal when they struck an agreement to pay £2.5m for 25 "event days" per year. The stadium loses £2.25m simply by letting them play matches there due to costs such as stewarding, policing, catering and turnstile operation that they are responsible for.
It is understood West Ham are not unwilling to increase their overall contribution. However, as with any negotiation, they will only hand over more cash if it results in them getting greater flexibility in their use of the stadium and an ability to manipulate it into a venue that serves their purposes to a far greater degree than it does at the moment.
For their part, the mayor's office are not willing to publicly state what may be on the table as a bargaining tool at such an early stage of what are likely to become extensive negotiations. Sorting out the naming rights issue is an imperative, which is obvious from the review, and requires West Ham's involvement if revenues are going to be maximised. And all this against the backdrop of a potential relegation battle that, unless it is won, would be a financial catastrophe and turn the London Stadium into the biggest ground in the second tier since Manchester United were relegated in 1974.

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Merson unsure on unpredictable Hammers
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 12th December 2017
By: Staff Writer

Former Arsenal star and TV pundit Paul Merson believes West Ham can potentially upset the apple cart for a second time inside a week. Having beaten reigning champions Chelsea at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday lunchtime, Merson warned that David Moyes's side could repeat that feat by knocking the Gunners off their perch tomorrow night, when the two sides meet in the first of two encounters this month.
However he still backed his former side to come out on top - due to West Ham's 'obscene' effort in beating Antonio Conte's side. "West Ham are a bag of Revels," he said. "I watched them play at Everton, and they were absolutely slaughtered. "They were so poor. They then could have got a result at Man City - and then they beat Chelsea. "I still think Arsenal will win this, because Arsenal do have joy at West Ham. And they put so much into that win over Chelsea they might not have much left in the tank."
Arsenal, who failed to qualify for the Champions League last season go into the game fifth in the table, but in mixed form. A 6-0 Europa League win against Bate Borisov last week was sandwiched between a draw and Southampton and a home defeat against Manchester United - although Arsene Wenger's side enjoyed a run of four straight wins prior to that disappointment.

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Moyes: an(other) early goal could be key
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 12th December 2017
By: Staff Writer

David Moyes says that he would be delighted if West Ham could score another early goal against Arsenal tomorrow night - as they did against Chelsea last weekend.

Marko Arnautovic's seventh-minute strike was enough to win the Hammers all three points against the reigning champions last weekend - and Moyes admits he will be absolutely delighted if his team can get off to another flyer against the Gunners. "Arsenal, they're a really good team with excellent players," he said during his pre-match press conference at Rush Green. "We need to find a way of getting a result. If we can score another early goal, we'll be thrilled."

And the Hammers boss also predicted that his side would be in for a tough test, regardless of which particular eleven players opposite number Arsene Wenger decided to field. "I'm not an expert on Arsenal, but whoever plays will be good players," he added. "I tried to sign Aaron Ramsey for Everton before he went to Arsenal and he's turned out to be a terrific player. Jack Wilshere is also an excellent footballer, but maybe some of his injury problems have held him back. "Olivier Giroud scored against me last year at Sunderland. He's important for Arsenal and who knows if he'll start after he scored off the bench on Sunday? They've got good forwards and we'll have to work hard to keep them out. "Arsene Wenger's done a brilliant job over the years and I respect him for what he does. I want to beat his Arsenal teams every time, though, even though I admire what he has achieved there!" We'll have more for you from Moyes' pre-match presser later in the day.

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New arrivals imminent, promises Sullivan
KUMb.com
Filed: Tuesday, 12th December 2017
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United co-chairman David Sullivan has told West Ham supporters to expect "two or three" new arrivals in next month's transfer window.
Sullivan, writing for the Arsenal edition of the club's match day programme insists that David Moyes' squad is set to be improved by the new arrivals - although the manager is yet to determine which areas are in most need of a boost. "David [Moyes] is still weighing up the areas we are short in but you can be rest assured two or three players will be brought in to improve the team," writes Sullivan. "Before then, we have players available again after injury, with more set to return soon, too, so there is competition for places."

One area in which Moyes is thought to be keen to improve is in attack, with Diafra Sakho still determined to leave for pastures new and Andy Carroll no more reliable than he has ever been. That has resulted in West Ham being linked with the likes of Danny Ings (Liverpool) and Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), the latter potentially on loan for the remainder of the season. Moyes is also thought to be keen on signing a defensive midfielder to assist the likes of Pedro Obiang and Cheikhou Kouyate, the latter of whom has been unsettled at West Ham for some considerable time.

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Roll your sleeves up and fight, Pearce tells Hart
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 12th December 2017
By: Staff Writer

West Ham United coaching assistant Stuart Pearce has told England goalkeeper Joe Hart he has a fight on his hands to win back his starting spot. The experienced goalkeeper, who joined West Ham on a season-long loan last summer lost his place to Adrian against Chelsea last weekend having been forced to sit out the trip to parent club Manchester City the week before.
And Pearce, who returned to West Ham last month as part of David Moyes new regime has instructed Hart - who is desperate to regain his place in the team, with the World Cup Finals just six months away - to keep giving 100 per cent effort in training if he wishes to regain his first team spot. ""We want two goalkeepers at this football club, at least, vying for the #1 jersey," Pearce told whufc.com. "Joe knows he has to roll his sleeves up and fight to get his place back at club level, and also to keep his England place for the summer. "Adrian played extremely well at Man City - Joe wasn't dropped for that game - but every football club knows that competition for places is healthy. "We're in a situation here where everyone is competing for the jersey. I know Joe very well from my time at [Manchester] City and England and he's the type of character who will roll his sleeves up and fight to get his place back."
However Pearce defended the England stopper against recent criticism, insisting that West Ham's leaky defence was just as culpable for the team having the Premier League's worst defensive record. "He's been left very, very open," added Pearce. "I covered a few games before I went in at West Ham and he's been left very vulnerable, there's no doubt about that. As for the criticism he got, he thought everyone in the team has to take responsibility when the team concedes goals."
Meanwhile David Moyes, speaking in his pre-match press conference this afternoon insisted that there would be an opportunity for Hart to shine again - but insisted that his only priority was to pick the best team for West Ham. "I'm sure Joe will give Adrian all the respect from his position," he said. "He's good in the dressing room, his experience is important and he'll play a lot of games for West Ham between now and the end of the season. "I hope Adrian keeps playing well, but there will be games for Joe. I'm really pleased I have two good goalkeepers. Joe is here and if I'm correct I don't think his loan contract allows him to go back."My job is to pick the West Ham team and not the England team."

Tale of the tape: 2017/18 so far

Joe Hart
Played: 14 (Premier League 14, Carabao Cup 0)
Goals Conceded: 30
Average goals conceded per game: 2.14

Adrian San Miguel Del Castillo
Played: 5 (Premier League 2, Carabao Cup 3)
Goals Conceded: 4
Average goals conceded per game: 0.80

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Wenger wary of newly-confident West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 12th December 2017
By: Staff Writer

Arsene Wenger says his Arsenal side will face a game against a "condifent and dangerous" West Ham at the Olympic Stadium tomorrow night. Wenger, speaking to the media ahead of Arsenal's visit to the Olympic Stadium insisted that the Hammers would be full of enthusiasm and fresh resolve following their defeat of reigning champions Chelsea on Saturday. "It will be a tough test because they were unlucky against [Manchester] City and certainly built some confidence against Chelsea," he said. "So it will be a game against a West Ham team with more confidence who will be more dangerous as well. "They've also had 24 hours more recovery than us so that have a big advantage on that front. "They had a good manager before in [Slaven] Bilic, who did an excellent job. [David] Moyes has big experience to build them up again, he has shown that recently so I'm not surprised they're improving as he has big experience in the Premier League."

Wenger also revealed that he wasn't expecting a repeat of last season's corresponding fixture, when Arsenal ran out 5-1 winners. "At the time West Ham were a bit short of confidence - and we took advantage of that," he added. The Frenchman also confirmed that Arsenal will be without one or two key figures as the north London side attempt to keep within touching distance of the Premier League's front runners. "[Shkodran] Mustafi will not be back as the medical staff have decided that he's not completely ready, and we lost [Aaron] Ramsey against Southampton," he confirmed. "He will not be available for tomorrow's game. It's a hamstring injury, but not a big one. "Everybody else, apart from the long-term injury [to Santi Cazorla], looks available. We have tests this morning to see how they have recovered."

Wenger also confirmed that he was still considering rotating certain members of his squad, in order to keep them fresh for the busy Christmas period. "I have not made that decision completely so I will have to look first of all at how some players have recovered," he said. "We look at how much energy they spent, how they recover and after I make my decisions, adding to that the balance of the team."

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Call forth the spirit of Chelsea
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 12th December 2017
By: Staff Writer

Pablo Zabaleta says West Ham need to show the same desire and determination they did to beat Chelsea, when Arsenal visit the Olympic Stadium tomorrow night. Having put the Blues to the sword on Saturday afternoon, the Hammers have a chance to make it two derby wins out of two inside a week when the Gunners provide the next opposition at Stratford. And the Argentinian defender challenged his team mates to repeat that outstanding performance and produce a win that would almost certainly take West Ham out of the relegation zone. "We showed in the last two games that we are a good team with spirit, commitment and discipline," he told whufc.com. "We need to show that for 90 minutes. "Hopefully we can put another good performance in against Arsenal on Wednesday night. I'm sure the supporters will be behind us. "We should have more points so we need to learn from our mistakes and keep moving forward."

Meanwhile club captain Mark Noble - who played a pivotal role against Chelsea last weekend having been benched for the previous two outings - also issued a rallying call to his team mates. "I do like winning local derbies," he said. "Chelsea, Spurs, and we've got another one on Wednesday night. When the atmosphere's like that it's really hard for the other team to play. "My fingers are going to be crossed because after the Chelsea game, when we put so much in, we need to replicate that and do it all over again."

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Wenger keen to keep Giroud
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 12th December 2017
By: Staff Writer

Arsene Wenger says he wants Olivier Giroud to stay and fight for his place at Arsenal - despite reports linking the French international with a loan move in January. Despite having plenty of choices in attack, West Ham are one of several clubs to have been linked with a short-term loan move for the French star who has one eye on next summer's World Cup Finals. However Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger - who brings his side to east London tomorrow night for another big London derby - says he would prefer to keep Giroud at the Emirates. "He's a very good player," Wenger told reporters. "I have plenty of good strikers, but I cannot play them all together. "He's a very important player I have great respect for. I am a great admirer of Giroud. If you look at his career since he came here, look how many French caps he's got since he has been at Arsenal, he has not wasted his time. "I can understand the frustration of every player that doesn't play, but that's part of the job when you go to a big club. But when you have three games in six days like this week, there will be an opportunity to start.
"Personally, I want him to stay at the club until the end of the season, then we will see."

The 31-year-old forward - who is also said to be on Crystal Palace's radar - has spent the last five years at Arsenal, but fears he could lose his spot in France's World Cup squad if he isn't playing on a regular basis. West Ham were previously linked with a move for Giroud last summer, but the club's interest fell through when he insisted he was happy at Arsenal. "I am Arsenal player and for the moment I am here," he said. "I just want to prepare well for the season and we will see later. I've been here for five years - next year could be my sixth one and I am still an Arsenal player for the moment."

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David Moyes: Adrian has the No 1 jersey at West Ham
Last Updated: 12/12/17 3:45pm
SSN

David Moyes says Adrian has reclaimed the goalkeeper's jersey at West Ham and insists Joe Hart will not be leaving the club during January's transfer window.
Hart relinquished the No 1 jersey after conceding 16 goals in six league games between October 20 and November 29, with Adrian taking over for matches against Manchester City and Chelsea - and performing well in both. But Moyes has no intention of allowing the England international to change clubs in January, in order to improve his chances of playing at next year's World Cup Finals in Russia. And the West Ham boss expects Hart to feature in many games between now and the end of the season. Regarding Hart's current status at the London Stadium, Moyes said: "At this moment in time, Adrian played well at Man City (where Hart was ineligible) and again on Saturday. "I'm sure Joe will give Adrian all the respect. Joe's a real good guy. He's good in the dressing room and the big thing is his level of experience. He's played in so many big games. "And I'll tell you this, he'll play a lot of games for West Ham between now and the end of the season. "I'm fortunate to have two really good goalkeepers who are competitive and Adrian will have to play well. But, at the moment, Adrian has got the jersey."
When pressed on whether he would show compassion and allow Hart to further his World Cup ambitions by leaving next month, Moyes added: "My job is to pick the West Ham team, not the England team." Meanwhile, Moyes says he has been delighted by the squad's work ethic since taking over as manager from Slaven Bilic at the start of November.
When asked whether he has had to get tough with the squad, the Scot went on: "We're trying to make the players accountable for everything they do on the pitch. "I've told the players we need to work a bit harder as a team. "It's less and less likely players accept the hairdryer (treatment) now. But I've had no need to, because they have really put in the effort. "And if they hadn't I'd soon let them know. They're giving me the effort on the training pitch too."

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West Ham v Arsenal preview: Aaron Ramsey and Shkodran Mustafi out
Last Updated: 12/12/17 7:15pm
SSN

Arsenal will be without Shkodran Mustafi and Aaron Ramsey when they travel to West Ham in the Premier League on Wednesday. Mustafi missed Sunday's 1-1 draw at Southampton due to a thigh problem while Ramsey sustained a hamstring injury late in the game at St Mary's. The draw was another setback for the Gunners away from home in the Premier League this season, with only two of their nine wins coming on the road.
West Ham, meanwhile, are buoyant following their 1-0 win over Chelsea at the London Stadium on Saturday - a result that lifted the Hammers to third-bottom in the table and level on points with 17th-placed West Brom. It also marked West Ham's first win in nine and David Moyes' first since taking charge at the club. "They rebuilt some confidence against Chelsea," said Wenger of the Hammers. "So it will be certainly a game with a West Ham team that is more confident. More dangerous as well."

Team news

Edimilson Fernandes is a doubt for West Ham after hurting his ankle in training. James Collins is not yet ready to return and Sam Byram and Jose Fonte remain out. Cheikhou Kouyate could return to the squad after he missed out against Chelsea with a hamstring problem.

Arsenal will be without Mustafi and Ramsey while Santi Cazorla (ankle) remains a long-term injury absentee.

Opta stats

West Ham have won just one of their last 18 Premier League meetings with Arsenal (W1 D3 L14), with this win coming at the Emirates in August 2015.
Gunners are unbeaten in their last nine top-flight away games against West Ham (W7 D2), since a 0-1 loss in November 2006.
This will be West Ham's 100th home London derby in the Premier League. They've won 36 of their previous 99 (D22 L41), including Saturday's 1-0 victory against Chelsea.
Despite beating reigning champions Chelsea on Saturday, this will be the 42nd consecutive Premier League matchday in which David Moyes has started in charge of a team in the relegation zone - a competition record.
Arsenal have conceded 32 Premier League goals away from home in 2017. Only West Ham (35) & Stoke & Watford (33 each) have shipped more.
No player has scored more substitute goals for a single Premier League team than Olivier Giroud - level with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Man Utd (17).
Mesut Ozil has scored in each of his last three Premier League games against West Ham, while also providing an assist in the last two.

Merson's prediction

West Ham are a bag of revels. I watched them play at Everton, and they were absolutely slaughtered. They were so poor. They then could have got a result at Man City then they beat Chelsea. I still think Arsenal will win this, because Arsenal do have joy at West Ham, and they put so much into that win over Chelsea they might not have much left in the tank.

Paul predicts: 1-3 (11/1 with Sky Bet)

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EVEN THE BOOKIES ARE IMPRESSED
By Tony Hanna 12 Dec 2017 at 08:00
WTID

Normally a new football manager gets an immediate "bounce" but we don't do normal and our one got three defeats and a draw to start his West Ham career. On his debut, Watford took the mickey in the final 30 minutes playing keep football to the opposition crowds ole's as we wilted to a 2-0 defeat. There was a glimmer of hope in the second game at home to Leicester as for once we got to see some sort of organisation and effort but still only a point. In Moyes third game, against Everton, any sense of optimism gained from the Leicester match was crushed as we wilted to a 4-0 defeat against a side that was as devoid of confidence and self belief as we were. To rub salt in the wounds there was Big Sam looking down from the stands watching his new safety project – chewing gum, thumbs up with a wide grin on his face. If I can analogise it was like watching the bird that dumped you showing off her new boyfriend to all and sundry. Not that Sam dumped us but when Frank Lampard used to score against us and then kiss the Chelsea badge it gave me the same sort of feeling.

The prospect of the next set of fixtures got most of us older Hammers fans reaching for the abacus. City, Chelsea and Arsenal – oh the joy! I went for 6-0 in the predictor against City– how about you? The signs that things are changing at West Ham were there for all to see though as we led 1-0 at half time until the inevitable happened. Why can't we play a Manchester City side without De Bruyne and David Silva? And so on to Chelsea. Why can't we play a Chelsea side without Eden Hazard? But this time it didn't matter and in fact beating a Chelsea side with Hazard and Kante in it makes it feel even better. It is often said that in the past we raise ourselves for the big games and we do the unexpected, but the last two performances have been light years ahead of much of what we have seen in recent months. So, are we turning the corner or are our we getting ahead of ourselves? That great barometer, you know the bookie guys with their professional, cold and unemotional outlook on the game of football seem to think the former. Before the City game we were even money to get relegated, that's a 50% chance. Now we are 11/4 – just a 26% chance despite still being in the bottom three. You might say that they have also been duly impressed.

But before we get carried away we need to learn many more lessons. Sitting back in an organised way on the back of a 1-0 lead against quality opposition is a different proposition to the games we face more often over the course of a season. Those games where the class difference is much closer and where many of these teams will try to do the same to us as we did to Chelsea. Antonio and Arny's pace and strength have looked good in tandem against City and Chelsea but how will they fare when we play the likes of West Brom and Stoke at the OS? After what has transpired over the past fortnight will Moyes revert back to his Duncan Ferguson style tactics now that Carroll has recovered from his knock? Where does Chico fit in – if at all? Moyes looks as though he has got us fit and organised enough to be hard to break down and beat but there will be different obstacles to overcome when we play teams where they are the ones sitting back looking to hit us on the break.

I have long been an admirer of Arthur Masuaku. Convinced he was a player of great talent it was always my belief he would improve defensively given time. Perhaps that will happen, perhaps it won't, but I have no doubt he has cemented his place in the team for now. What an exciting player he could become for us? On the other side of the coin I have also been banging the drum that Cresswell's form had dropped so much he shouldn't be seen anywhere near a West Ham shirt. Well, judging from the last few games the "old" Cresswell is back and I am so happy for Dan Coker who never lost the faith in him! Whilst I never gave up hope that fan favourite Adrian would get back into the West Ham team, I doubt it would have happened under Slaven Bilic? I base this on his all too long reluctance to give the Spaniard a recall despite Randolph's poor form last season. I have little doubt Adrian would have been angling for a January move but for Moyes giving him this new chance? I must say I have warmed to David Moyes. Whilst some say his pressers lack positivity I prefer the realism and honesty. The manager, the players and the supporters have been given a shot in the arm over the past week or so. Let's hope we can kick on from here.

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Borussia Mönchengladbach's West Ham loanee Reece Oxford makes first Bundesliga start
bundesliga.com OFFICIAL WEBSITE

England Under-20 defender Reece Oxford made his first Bundesliga start in Borussia Mönchengladbach's 1-0 defeat to Freiburg on Matchday 16.
Oxford joined Gladbach on loan from English Premier League side West Ham United in the summer, but has only played a single minute in the Bundesliga so far, coming on as a late substitute in the 3-1 victory over Hoffenheim on Matchday 10.

Gladbach
✔
@borussia_en
First #Borussia start incoming for our @WestHamUtd loanee 🇬🇧#fohlenelf #SCFBMG
6:41 PM - Dec 12, 2017
16 16 Replies 125 125 Retweets 632 632 likes

There has been speculation surrounding the 18-year-old's future in Germany, with Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl insisting that the club "certainly want him to stay". Oxford, who played a key role for the Foals in pre-season, will be looking to kick on and help Gladbach in their quest to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.

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