Was Mark Noble substitution Manuel Pellegrini’s Mesut Ozil moment at West Ham?

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West Ham United play Arsenal on Saturday with a lot at stake for both sides despite being just two games into a new season.

West Ham against Arsenal is one of the less intense London rivalries.

But this promises to be different.

Both clubs have new managers looking to integrate lots of new signings and a new style.

The Hammers and Gunners have both lost their opening two games too.

And both Pellegrini and Arsenal boss Unai Emery have been criticised already.

Noble and Ozil substitutions send strong message

Most of those with a considered outlook insist both need plenty of time to get things right.

But the harsh truth is defeat for one will heap early pressure on the other.

However, neither will be a pushover if incidents during their last matches are anything to go by.

A lot has been made of Emery’s decision to substitute Mesut Ozil in the defeat to Chelsea.

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville described it as a ‘message to Arsenal players’ that if they don’t do what is being asked of them they will be out of the team.

Meanwhile across London, something similar was unfolding at West Ham.

Trailing Bournemouth 2-1 at home, Pellegrini withdrew his captain Mark Noble.

The skipper did not look best pleased and was not alone in turning in a poor display.

Wake up and smell the coffee moment

Many feel Emery’s substitution of Ozil could be the catalyst for Arsenal’s players to wake up, smell the coffee and kick on.

Perhaps Noble’s withdrawal will provide similar impetus and direction to West Ham’s rebuild.

Nine times out of 10 Arsenal will be favourites for this fixture so a Gunners victory, particularly at the Emirates, would be no surprise.

But Pellegrini will be hoping the Noble situation proves to be his own ‘Ozil moment’ that helps the penny drop with his squad.