A report has emerged this morning that Marko Arnautovic is growing increasingly frustrated with life on the West Ham bench and that the Hammers could be facing a summer of transfer discontent.
The striker has of course been playing second fiddle to Javier Hernandez but Manuel Pellegrini may bring him back for the match against Huddersfield.
It may be one of several changes from the manager given his track record after bad defeats but it is one that could prove critical for the player’s future but if it doesn’t happen the thin edge of an Arnie wedge may be looming.
The Mail reports that Pellegrini decides his starting line-up the day before fixtures after consulting staff – after consulting backroom staff – and Arnie as a result the striker will know his fate on Friday.
However, another game on the bench, could well start the problems which we have suffered in the past from him and his brother.
It needs to be remembered that he signed a new deal after the Chinese saga in which he agreed incentive-based performance clause which he has been unable to trigger in the circumstances.
It remains to be seen whether any clubs will be in for Arnautovic this summer but given his track record, brother Danijel could well start stirring the pot again if the striker doesn’t get more game time.
The Hammers are likely to value him at around the £40 million offered in the summer although he hits 30 next month and players can lose value quickly at this stage of their careers.
I really like Pellegrini, and I believe in what hes trying to do. But I think he made his point to Anri, if he doesn’t start him. It would worry me, because what ever you think of him, You cannot denie that he is our best striker by a long way.
Its not just because the defeat to Cardiff, I thought he should of started against Newcastle and Fulham. I don’t really see what Hernandez has been giving us when he’s on the pitch tbh. Cant say he is any better then Perez. He misses so many chances, and dives constantly.
Arnie needs to get some humility if the rumours are true, he should have apologised to his team mates for his brother’s wreckless approach that ruined our January, his senseless video after we had just lost a game, if he finds the humility and the resolve to take his punishment like a man then he may become the player he believes he is. As it is he comes across like a spoilt brat.
Chicharito does not make the cut. Just play the guy and sell him in the summer it’s obviously the plan with his new contract
We should have taken the money for Arnie is January, let’s hope a Club are foolish enough to offer us £45m in the summer so we can say goodbye to him. And that day can’t come soon enough!
I’m not surprised he’s frustrated, seeing the dross we’re serving up. Needs to start on Saturday.