OPINION
The international break is no doubt a worrying time for any club manager, as they always run the risk of one of your star players underperforming and bringing that form back with them after.
That is no doubt the case with West Ham United, with star striker Marko Arnautovic away with Austria on international duty – and the 1-0 defeat to Poland on Thursday night will surely be particularly concerning for him.
The 29-year-old star has taken a back seat with the Hammers after the whole situation surrounding a possible move to China, but his performance yesterday made him look a shadow of his usual self.
Whether playing for his country deprives him of the opportunities that he is gifted with at West Ham remains to be seen, but it is safe to say that his performance was far from good enough and a far cry from what we have seen of him this season.
Alarm bells must be ringing for Manuel Pellegrini after this woeful international showing from Arnautovic, as there is the risk that he may bring this type of form with him after he returns from the break.
That is the last thing that Pellegrini needs right now, especially with his striker department looking rather thin on numbers – Arnautovic being off the boil means that he only has Javier Hernandez, Lucas Perez and Andy Carroll to call upon.
Hardly the most talented mix, right?
His performances have split many West Ham fans recently, and there is no doubt that would have happened once again on Thursday.
Nevertheless, Pellegrini will be concerned about one of his main assets, as it means that the Hammers’ chances of qualifying for Europe will be seriously affected as a result.
Many of the fans will have their fingers crossed that this woeful form does not crop up again in the league, as they need Arnautovic at his best.
