Danny Higginbotham heaped praise on West Ham duo Marko Arnautovic and Manuel Lanzini and claimed that it was vital the club kept both players.
The Sky Sports pundit gushed about the two attack-minded players as he thought they had been key to David Moyes’ side securing their Premier League status for another season.
“Manuel Lanzini and Marko Arnautovic have struck up a brilliant understanding at West Ham, they have been key to the Hammers beating the drop,” said Higginbotham in his column for The Sun.
“David Moyes was originally forced to play Arnautovic up front due to injury problems but the Austrian and Argentine Lanzini have become a serious attacking threat.
“It is vital the club keep hold of both players if they are to avoid another relegation battle next season.
“While Stoke got £24million for Arnautovic, they might have beaten the drop if he’d stayed.”
The Hammers confirmed that they would be in the Premier League next season after beating Leicester 2-0 on Saturday, which was enough to be mathematical safe as Southampton ended up drawing with Everton.
OPINION
Higginbotham’s glowing praise of Lanzini and Arnautovic for their performances this season is more than warranted. Arnautovic has managed to score 10 goals in 33 appearances this season, and his goals have been more than helpful in firing the Hammers away from the relegation zone. Whereas Lanzini has used his creative genius in the 27 games that he has featured in, to contribute nine assists to the cause. Both players have been a touch above the majority of their teammates with their displays this season and there would be uproar if either left the London Stadium in the summer. This would especially be the case with Arnautovic who only arrived from Stoke City ahead of the start of this season. The 29-year-old took a little bit time to get going at the Hammers and it would be a shame if he left anytime soon. While the idea is horrible to think about, either of the players leaving would be highly unlikely. The only way that scenario changes is if Moyes leaves and a new manager doesn’t rate either player, which would be bizarre, or if a top-six side make too good an offer to turn down.
