The eyes of the world will be on the monumental clash between West Ham and Arsenal this Sunday – but that may not be good news for one Hammers star or the owners.
West Ham have their Premier League lives on the line when Arsenal come to the London Stadium while the Gunners are fighting to win their first title for 20 years.
The Hammers know victory would not only see them climb out of the relegation zone and back above Spurs but also put a massive dent in Arsenal’s title chances.
The stakes have not been higher for either club in decades.
Diouf could cost West Ham millions against Arsenal
So the world and his wife will be watching on given what is riding on the London derby.
And that may not be good news for owners David Sullivan, Daniel Kretinsky and co or Hammers defender El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Where do you sit right now on Malick Diouf’s performances?
Saka and Arsenal are coming up next… 😓
On the whole, Diouf has impressed in his debut season since arriving in a £19m deal from Slavia Prague.
But there are still big question marks over his defending and clearly plenty to learn for the Senegalese youngster.
Diouf was woeful in West Ham’s 3-0 defeat at Brentford, giving away a needless penalty which ultimately killed the game at 2-0.
Despite his hot and cold form, Diouf has attracted serious and concrete interest from Manchester United ahead of the summer window.
Reports have claimed the Red Devils want to sign Diouf, who is valued at between £35-40m by West Ham.
But now he faces a refreshed and in-form Arsenal star Bukayo Saka in a game that will be watched by millions.
Diouf must improve or Saka could send West Ham closer to drop and cost him a big money move
Unless he massively ups his game defensively, Diouf will be brutally exposed by Saka which could cost the Hammers Premier League survival.
That in itself is worth a minimum £120-150m to the club, which is already in a desperate financial position after posting £104m losses.
Imaging you’re in Nuno’s shoes; Who are you bringing in to face Arsenal? 👞
A poor defensive performance against Saka may also knock millions off Diouf’s value if and when West Ham come to sell this summer.
However, there is some good news for West Ham – and less so for Arsenal.
Because Diouf had Saka in his pocket when Senegal smashed England 3-1 last summer.
The Gunners captain barely had a kick as Diouf played out of his skin that day and West Ham will need more of the same if they are to have any hope of staying up.
If Saka gets the better of Diouf it could prove costly for West Ham in more ways than one.
Diouf previously stated he sees West Ham as a stepping stone move to a big European club.
If that is what he really wants then the left-back needs to be on his A game against Arsenal.
Statistically, Diouf has been West Ham’s seventh best player this season with an average match rating of 6.74/10.
No prizes for guessing who has been Arsenal’s best player according to the stats – that man Saka.
The winger pips from Hammer Declan Rice with an average match rating of 7.27/10 to Rice’s 7.26/10.
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