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King Arthur? …not quite but getting there

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masactioncummings

By Allen Cummings

“Arnie” Arnautovic has  become the new terraces darling  in our mini revival but not far behind him in the popularity stakes is the somewhat unlikely figure of Arthur Masuaku.

Since David Moyes’ decision to switch to a back five Arthur has been operating as a left wing-back, and the former Olympiacos man has been reborn.

From his role as the occasional back up alternative for Aaron Cresswell, the Frenchman has become a real eye-catcher with his surging forward runs and mazey dribbles.

We’ve always loved our wide players at West Ham, and Masuaku has been providing the infectious expectation that comes with someone who is prepared to take on and go past a defender, a feature that will always get the fans off their seats.

With packed defences and little or no room to go through the middle, the best alternative is to go round them. That’s something Masuaku has been doing pretty effectively lately.

Consequently there’s a song that’s doing the rounds at the moment with words to the effect of “…Arthur Masuaku, he’s better than Lukaku – he never gives the ball away”. Catchy. But not quite accurate in my opinion.

Because for me, that’s one thing Arthur IS guilty of – giving the ball away and it’s something that needs addressing along with his ability to retain concentration for a full 90 minutes.

It’s a fact that Arthur is guilty of going to sleep at times, getting caught in possession in dangerous areas and putting his team under unnecessary pressure.

It’s those defensive weaknesses I suspect that encouraged Moyes, with input from Stuart Pearce, a former full back himself of course, to try Arthur in a more offensive rather than defensive role.

It’s a move that has clearly worked to an encouraging degree with more to come. Obviously Arthur is still learning the role. A work in progress.

But I’m sure with Moyes’ help, it’s a role he is more than capable of improving and developing to his, and our greater advantage. Maybe then his coronation will be complete.

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Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!"

Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

0 comments

  • master says:

    Really needs to learn how to cross though. Like most of them I guess.

  • Stratford E20 says:

    I have watched him closely for the last five games and I honestly do not remember him beating a man apart from that dribble against Spurs. He has two men on him now, he tries to dribble and has been losing the ball almost every time. He has to learn that he will not be successful every time and he must pass the ball. Opposition players know that he is going to attempt a dribble and that makes him predictible.

  • West Ham Fan No 32 says:

    I think he has done well in a struggling team, retains possession pretty well and has occaisional moments of brilliance, created a first class opportunity for Ayew against spuds, Lloris and spuds were very lucky we didn’t get our second.

  • Dunlopilo says:

    He still needs to stay focused and disciplined all match. I remember one cross coming from the left attacking side for Aurier. Masuaku was a good five meters ahead of Aurier. Yet Masu was caught sleeping and Aurier beat him to get the cross quite comfortably. Almost cost us a goal because Kane was storming in unmarked through the centre. That should never happen, and that is what we are talking about.

  • sleepswithdafishes says:

    I agree with Stratford in that when a player can take the ball past people so well, they become famous and tend to get crowded more by the opposition. They have the choice to try to beat 2-3 players at once or pass the ball to someone in space. It is not always easy for those type of players to choose to pass, and that’s how it is with Masuaku.
    He needs to improve his one touch passing, so that he can plat his way out of a dead end, while cutting out the 3 three players around him.
    The same happens to Samulesen, who is gradually learning when to let the ball go and move again into space.
    On the other hand Masuaku can sometimes pull a rabbit out of the hat, like he did when putting Ayew through against Spurs.

  • jimbo says:

    Arthur has improved tremendously since he was pushed higher up the pitch. He is a little different to the run of the mill ploughs we have currently so well worth sticking with and investing in. He has the ability and I’m sure any decent manager can improve his decision making. Players with the ability to beat the opposition and play a telling ball are not easy to come by after all.

  • kcockayne says:

    My opinion of Masuaku has changed a lot since we gave up on him as a defender (which he cannot do). As a winger, he is a different kettle of fish; & much more successful ! However, in the WBA & Spurs games he ran about a lot & generally got nowhere.

    • sleepswithdafishes says:

      He is getting more easily marshalled in games by 2-3 players so it’s a matter of using that to eliminate 2-3 players with a pass.
      As Jimbo says a decent manager can improve his decision making, and I think Moyes is one who can.
      We need to give him a bit of time and I’m sure he will be an even better attacking player for it.

  • crewehammer says:

    He’s only 24 and can only get better….. I for one am a fan, and in some games he’s been the only player worth watching.

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