David Moyes has been speaking to the press ahead of West Ham United’s trip to London rivals Arsenal on Saturday.
West Ham lifted themselves out of the relegation zone with a fine 3-1 win over Southampton last time out.
But they only remain there on goal difference after Watford’s shock win over Liverpool and Bournemouth’s draw with Chelsea.
It is sorcerer vs apprentice as David Moyes locks horns with his trusted former captain Mikel Arteta at the Emirates.
Hammers need four more wins to stay up
West Ham have 10 games to get the four wins – or three and three draws – needed to secure safety.
Arsenal are not the force they once were. But they still have top class players who can hurt the Hammers.
Moyes was facing something of a dilemma for the London derby.
Does he live by the old football adage ‘never change a winning team’ or does he change his setup to try and secure a point?
Moyes hints at massive Soucek boost
Well his mind may be made up for him after he revealed in his pre-match press conference that influential midfielder Tomas Soucek could be fit for the game (whufc.com).
The Czech Republic star was expected to be out until the Tottenham game. But Moyes has revealed he has healed quickly in a massive boost to West Ham’s survival bid.
“We’re getting much closer to a full squad,” Moyes said (whufc.com).
“Tomas Soucek’s doing very well and he’s just about match-fit, very close to it now, so he’s recovered very quickly.”
Rumours had been circulating that Andriy Yarmolenko could also be back for the game.
But Moyes said that while Yarmolenko is not quite ready, Soucek almost certainly is.
“Andriy’s not available this weekend, he’s only just started training, but Tomas has got a very good chance (of featuring).”
Relegation battle takes to the road
That could mean Mark Noble drops out of the side. Or that Moyes calls on Soucek from the bench.
The relegation battle goes on the road this weekend.
All seven teams involved face tough away games.
The Hammers are at the Emirates while Bournemouth go to Liverpool, Watford to Palace, Brighton to Wolves and Aston Villa to Leicester.
Newcastle and Norwich also face tough trips to Southampton and Sheffield United respectively.
Predicted West Ham starting XI to face Arsenal:
Fabianski, Ngakia, Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Noble, Rice, Fornals, Bowen, Antonio, Haller.
West Ham’s run-in:
Arsenal (A)
Wolves (H)
Tottenham (A)
Chelsea (H)
Newcastle (A)
Burnley (H)
Norwich (A)
Watford (H)
Man United (A)
Aston Villa (H)
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