In the recent pre-match press conference ahead of West Ham United’s clash against Cardiff City, Manuel Pellegrini has hinted that he might start with Javier Hernandez up front against Cardiff City on Saturday with Marko Arnautovic left to make an impact from the bench if required. In an interview with Sky Sports, the Hammers boss said, “Javier is in a good moment – his commitment with the team, he is making good movements in attacking,”
“Maybe as with all other strikers they want to score more goals but he is involved in the play that allows us to score. We also have now coming back Marko Arnautovic so I think we also have an option also not only in the starting XI but we have important options on the bench also.”
Pellegrini mentioned Arnautovic’s name in the same sentence while also talking about his ‘important options’ on the bench. It is a bit unclear about what he tries to reveal by that statement, but if recent matches are anything to go by, it means that the Austrian striker is set for another start on the West Ham bench this weekend.
The Austrian international has lost his first-team place to Javier Hernandez and has been named in the substitutes’ list for four of their past six matches.
The 29-year-old was one of the most prolific goal-getters in the Premier League earlier in this campaign. Hence, it is quite a turnaround in fortunes for him which will be difficult to digest for a striker of his quality. However, one might argue that Arnautovic had it coming after his desire to move to the Chinese Super League during the January transfer window.
The Austrian striker ended up penning a new, long-term deal with the Hammers but it seems like not all is well between him and the club at this moment. Maybe the East London outfit tied him up on a new deal so that they can get the most out of his services if they do decide to move him on in the summer.
For now, Arnautovic’s future at the London Stadium is up in smokes so unless his situation changes soon, it is quite likely he will leave the club at the end of this campaign. All signs point toward Pellegrini making the right call as his team is doing well on the pitch in the Austrian’s absence.
