West Ham Zone speaking to Frank McAvennie

Mon 30 October 2023 14:10, UK

We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…

Frank McAvennie believes Alphonse Areola is the West Ham number one goalkeeper, and has urged David Moyes to stop changing his shot-stopper.

The goalkeeper has played all 10 of the club’s Premier League matches this season, as well as one Europa League match.

Lukasz Fabianski meanwhile has made three appearances in all competitions; two in the Europa League and one in the League Cup.

Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “Areola is in and out, they have been chopping and changing. I would like Moyes just to make his mind up. I think he’s the number one, I really do.

“At the moment, they are still swapping over. But if I was him I’d be saying ‘I want this number one spot.’ I don’t think anyone will discredit him by saying he doesn’t deserve it. He’s done everything that’s been asked of him, and more, so fair play to him.”

Areola has clearly been the number one this season when it comes to the more important matches, with Fabianski left for the cup games. That was, however, the opposite last time out, with the two goalkeepers swapping things around this season.

The trend suggests that it will be the Polish veteran who gets a run out in the upcoming match when the Hammers meet Arsenal in the League Cup on Wednesday (1 November). The London Stadium plays host to the Round of 16 encounter between the two Premier League outfits.

The 38-year-old was not included in the squad for the European trip to Greece on Thursday (26 October) as he was ill, according to Standard Sport journalist Malik Ouzia (26 October). He did, however, return to the squad for the 1-0 Premier League defeat to Everton on Sunday (29 October).

In other West Ham news, the Hammers want to sign a £40million-plus sensation, with a January transfer on the cards.