West Ham have shown dramatic signs of improvement in recent weeks, taking four points off Chelsea and Arsenal, the last of which came in a 0-0 draw with the Gunners last night.
David Moyes’ side secured their first victory under the Scottish boss at the weekend against Chelsea, with summer signing Marko Arnautovic finally breaking his scoring duck to net his first goal in the claret and white jersey.
Initially criticised following his club-record move from Stoke City, the Austrian international seems to have turned a corner under Moyes’ guidance and was a top performer in the draw with Arsenal, seeing a first-half goal chalked off for offside.
Former West Ham defender Rio Ferdinand has praised the attacker and heralded him as the club’s next Paolo Di Canio, becoming the latest maverick in the Hammers’ side. Speaking on BT Sport’s TV coverage, the ex-England international said:
“West Ham always seem to find a maverick. Di Canio, Payet…. this man can really step into that role. I’m not saying he’ll be as good as those two, if he does that’ll be fantastic, but I think he wants to be the go-to guy and he’ll thrive off the responsibility.”
Arnautovic will look to continue his fine form in this weekend’s clash with his former employers Stoke City, before tackling Newcastle United in the days before Christmas.
