West Ham United dealt blow ahead of Carabao Cup clash after Arsenal fitness update
West Ham have been dealt a blow to their hopes of beating Arsenal in the Carabao Cup tie on 1 November as Arsenal star Martin Odegaard looks set to return from injury, according to football.london.
The online news outlet shared via their website on 31 October that Odegaard has been suffering from a hip injury, and Mikel Arteta confirmed he made the decision to rest him in their 5-0 Premier League win against Sheffield United.
Arsenal’s captain has four goals and one assist so far this season in 13 appearances across all competitions and has proved to be a pivotal part of the Gunners’ attack.
The return of their captain, chief creative outlet and one of their most dangerous players will be a huge boost to Arsenal ahead of the game, and West Ham will now have to worry about how to deal with his presence in the side.
Edson Alvarez is expected to be the man sweeping up in midfield and breaking up play, and he will likely start due to an accumulation of yellow cards ruling him out of Sunday’s [4 November] game against Brentford.
In the Premier League so far this season, the Norwegian midfielder has averaged 2.3 shots per game and 1.1 shot on target, with two big chances created, and 1.7 key passes per game, so it could be difficult to keep a handle on the threat he possesses for Arteta’s side. [Sofascore]
He even has a heavy defensive contribution for his side, with his work rate displayed by an average of 4.2 ball recoveries and 2.0 tackles per game.
If Odegaard fits straight back into the Arsenal side as expected, it will bring a new dimension to the way West Ham will have to play. It’s important to keep him quiet but it seems easier said than done, so David Moyes and Alvarez will have a job on their hands.
In other West Ham news, David Moyes is edging closer to the sack as the club are “fed up”.