Renowned TV pundit and Arsenal legend Ian Wright has picked out West Ham United attacker Michail Antonio as the one player who can help them get the results they need if they’re able to keep him fit all the way through until the end of the season.
Speaking on the BBC Match Of The Day 2, as reported by Football.London, he went on to claim that the speedster’s display against Southampton was ‘virtually unstoppable’. The former Arsenal player then said that Antonio would do well to keep linking up with Sebastien Haller upfront, who himself looked better using his physical presence, rather than coming deep to collect the ball.
The Englishman’s display against the Saints on the weekend was nothing short of sensational, and it’s not that surprising that some of the most prominent football experts in the UK have recognised that fact. Another BBC pundit – Garth Crooks was also quick to lay down the praise, as he included the winger in his Premier League team of the week, which included just the one Hammers representative.
What Called For Such Praise From A Pundit Of Ian Wright’s Stature?
Antonio started the game against the Saints looking extremely bright and lively, possibly because he was finally being utilised in his actual position down the right flank. Without the added responsibility of holding the ball up weighing him down, the speedster was able to open up the gaps right from the off, and he gave James Ward-Prowse a torrid time down that side with his directness in the final third.
The winger used his insane pace to get around the Southampton cover on multiple occasions throughout the first half and played a massive part in all the goals on the night. The Englishman picked up an assist in the first half with the looping ball into Haller for the Frenchman’s goal, while he scored himself in the second period as well. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind about who the best player on the pitch was.
Why Antonio Has The Potential To Guide West Ham To New Heights?
The Hammers have struggled in the final third this season despite the record summer acquisition of Haller. Although Antonio has been a part of the side for a while now, he’s usually been deployed in the central striking position, where the trickster is unable to showcase his full potential. Despite all this though, the biggest challenge for David Moyes will surely be keeping him fit.
He played an integral part in getting them the much-needed three points last week, but the 29-year-old has scored just twice this season. Moyes must take the Southampton game as a lesson and keep Antonio on the flanks for the upcoming fixtures to get the best out of the other attacking players as well. Men like Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Fornals have the quality to take this West Ham team to the next level, and with some support from the directness of Antonio, there’s no telling how far they can go in the coming seasons.
