Positive or deluded is the question as West Ham boss David Moyes has a message for Arsenal ahead of the Boxing Day clash.
The Premier League is back on Monday and for West Ham it is out of the frying pan and into the fire as they face a daunting trip to face leaders Arsenal.
West Ham’s poor form – which stretches back a full year with just 13 wins in their last 42 Premier League games – sparked intense speculation that Moyes could be axed from the Hammers hotseat over the World Cup break.
But having been backed on multiple occasions by co-owner David Sullivan right here on Hammers News, Moyes remains in charge to face the Gunners.
The Scot vowed to take a break during the World Cup. And he did just that, taking a trip to Florida and maintaining a radio silence while every single other Prem club boss, including Arsenal’s Arteta, spoke to their club’s fans via official site interviews and press conferences.
It is understandable given West Ham have played more games than any other side so far this season after two years of hectic and mammoth schedules.
For many West Ham fans the World Cup break was welcome and quite the opposite was true for Arsenal supporters.
The Hammers have been in terrible form in the league for some time and performances have left fans feeling hugely frustrated.
The hope is that the World Cup break will have done the Hammers the world of good.
That theory will certainly be put to the test by Mikel Arteta’s vibrant young Arsenal team on Monday night.
The Gunners are very much Moyes’ bogey side.
In 39 matches as a manager against Arsenal Moyes has overseen just four wins, nine draws and 26 defeats with a goal difference of -46.
Despite that woeful record and the contrasting form of the two clubs this season, the Hammers manager is feeling surprisingly chipper ahead of the big London derby.
But is it positive or deluded as West Ham boss Moyes has a message for Arsenal ahead of their Boxing Day clash.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Moyes raved about Arteta’s Arsenal side. But he says he is confident his West Ham team can give the Gunners a tough game.
“It’s a great game to start because Arsenal are playing so well,” Moyes said on talkSPORT.
“They’ve changed dramatically, and they’re playing some really good stuff, so it’s a tough game for us.
“But why not? You’ve got to play everybody and we’ve had some good games over the last few seasons against Arsenal, so I’m looking forward to another one.”
We want some of what Moyes has been taking.
There’s no doubt West Ham have closed the gap on Arsenal in recent seasons. But so far in the current campaign the Hammers – who have the oldest squad in the top flight – are miles off their London rivals.
Let’s hope we see a big turnaround from West Ham at the Emirates. Maybe then we’ll start feeling as positive as the manager.
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