Newly-appointed West Ham boss Nuno Espírito Santo has the almighty task of coming away from Premier League title chasers Arsenal with a result this afternoon, but he is already making his mark at Rush Green.
Nuno looking to build upon solid West Ham record vs Arsenal
The last time these two sides met at the Emirates Stadium, Graham Potter was just one month into his own West Ham tenure, and a goal from star winger Jarrod Bowen gifted the Hammers all three points in a 1-0 win.
|
West Ham’s results in the Premier League so far |
|---|
|
Sunderland 3-0 West Ham |
|
West Ham 1-5 Chelsea |
|
Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham |
|
West Ham 0-3 Tottenham |
|
West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace |
|
Everton 1-1 West Ham |
Before that, David Moyes’ Irons sealed a surprise 2-0 victory at the Emirates in December 2023 — courtesy of strikes from Tomas Soucek and Konstantinos Mavropanos — so Nuno could actually seal a hat-trick of consecutive West Ham away wins against Arsenal today.
“I’m thinking only about tomorrow. We still have one session to go [on Friday], so we’re focused on preparing for a tough match,” said Nuno in his pre-Arsenal press conference.
“We go there with a good record, that gives us confidence, but it’s a totally different game now and new things will happen.
“We know we are facing a very good opponent, with a good manager, but I think it’s going to be a good test for us.”
Arsenal are the Premier League’s widely regarded set-piece specialists, while seven of West Ham’s 14 conceded league goals have come directly from corners.
Everton’s opening goal against the East Londoners on Monday was also the result of a corner, although not directly, so it’s clear what Nuno’s first, second, third and fourth priority should be against Arsenal — defend the dreaded dead balls.
In the build up to their trip to North London, Nuno has already been stamping his authority on the squad — most notably axing midfielder James Ward-Prowse from his first ever matchday squad against Everton.
The 30-year-old was an ever-present under Potter, but reports now claim that Ward-Prowse is resigned to leaving in January after being told he has no long-term role in Nuno’s plans.
Nuno decision to axe Ward-Prowse raised eyebrows at West Ham
Journalist Pete O’Rourke, speaking to Football Insider, says that Nuno’s decision to omit the Englishman “raised a few eyebrows” at West Ham, and backs other reports that the ex-Southampton star is a top candidate for the exit door.
“Well, does appear that he does not have a future at West Ham, Ward-Prowse,” O’Rourke said.
“Obviously, Nuno’s first act at West Ham was to axe him from the squad to face Everton on Monday night which raised a few eyebrows.
“It just seems that Ward-Prowse just has no sort of place in Nuno’s plans at the London Stadium.
“It’s not the first time either, Nuno worked with Ward-Prowse at Nottingham Forest last year when he joined on a season-long loan, but that was cut short and he was sent back to West Ham in January.
“So there’s obviously something maybe that Nuno doesn’t rate Ward Prowse and the best solution for all parties will be a parting of the ways in the January window.”
Since being dropped, it has been reported that Ward-Prowse could re-join Southampton, but whether Sport Republic can afford his £115,000-per-week wages in the Championship is another matter entirely.
The 11-cap England international was excellent in his debut season under Moyes, scoring seven goals and assisting 12 others in 52 appearances, and is still just one free kick goal away from David Beckham’s all-time Premier League record of 18.
However, Julen Lopetegui didn’t fancy him — shipping the player off to Nottingham Forest on loan in 2024/2025 only for Nuno to send him back midway through the campaign.
Despite being called “world-class” for his dead ball specialism by pundits like Alan Shearer, Nuno has made his feelings on Ward-Prowse crystal clear.
