OPINION
Manuel Pellegrini revealed on Monday that winger Michail Antonio was brought off during the game against Arsenal due to picking up an ankle injury.
The Hammers boss delivered the update on the 28-year-old winger and shared that the club previously rested him for the match against Bournemouth in a bid to keep him fit as it wasn’t that long ago he had to undergo surgery for an injury.
“I was asked about why Michail Antonio has started two games and was not involved against Bournemouth,” said Pellegrini as quoted by the club’s official website.
“The answer is that Michail played the first game and he didn’t play the second because he had played the full 90 minutes and it was his first game after six months on from his surgery, so he couldn’t continue playing every game.
“We rested him and that way he could work better during the week and could be ready to play this game.
“Unfortunately for him, he has a slight problem in his ankle and that is why he did not complete the game, but he played very well.”
While Pellegrini didn’t share whether his ankle issue would cause him to miss any games in the coming weeks, it does suggest another frustrating season is afoot for the player.
Antonio’s last couple of seasons have been hampered by injury which have not only caused him to miss games but even when he managed to make himself available, he’s not been able to build up any momentum as it’s not long before he’s quickly ruled out again.
It’s concerning that even though Pellegrini was trying to be careful with his use of the winger, who earns £70,000-a-week at the London Stadium (Source: Spotrac), that injury may have rocked him again.
Antonio only managed to make 21 league appearances for the Hammers last season with three separate injuries keeping him out at different times during the season and it was frustrating as his side could have done with his proven Premier League talents when battling the threat of relegation.
While the season 2018/19 season is still in the early stages if the 28-year-old is being somewhat protected by the Hammers and still picking up knocks then it seems very likely that his bad luck with injuries is still due to continue.
