By Adefunmiloye Alani

30th Oct, 2021 | 9:40pm

Andy Gray and Richard Keys discuss if West Ham are now better than Arsenal and Spurs

West Ham United are slowly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League, given their performances over the last 18 months.

They have dumped both Manchester United and Manchester City out of the League Cup this season and are currently fourth in the Premier League table with a game in hand on all of those above them.

The Hammers will be facing Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-finals of the League Cup in December, and BeIN SPORTS presenters Andy Gray and Richard Keys have discussed if they are now better than Arsenal and Spurs.

While Keys reckons the balance of power is fast shifting in London, Gray disagrees, insisting it would take a lot of consistency over the coming seasons for West Ham to be genuinely regarded as a heavyweight in the city.

Keys said (as shared on BeIN SPORTS Twitter account): “West Ham, them beating City wasn’t a surprise. That’s the sort of company they mix with these days.

“Have they really shifted the balance of power across London. Are Spurs and Arsenal now, both of them, looking to catch up with West Ham?”

Gray replied: “Listen, they have had two good seasons. The balance of power hasn’t shifted. It may be shifting, but they’ve got to be a lot more consistent. They’ve got to do it two or three seasons down the lane.

“They have got to get European football. West Ham have started well, they are doing well, keep that going for another 18 months or two years, and maybe then we can say that balance of power has shifted across London. Not at the moment. It’s moving slowly towards West Ham.”

Keys did not entirely agree, insisting: “I think it’s moving rather more quickly.”

Debatable

West Ham are definitely on their way to the top, and after finishing above the North London duo last term, there is no denying that they are currently better.

David Moyes’ side have started the campaign on an impressive note too, handing Spurs a 1-0 defeat last weekend, and they will fancy their chances of advancing to the semi-finals of the League Cup at their expense.

The Irons are also doing well in the Europa League after winning their opening three fixtures to top their group, and they are just four points away from booking a place in the last-32 as leaders.

Ending the season with silverware cannot be ruled out, and should that happen and they end up clinching a place in next season’s Champions League ahead of Arsenal and Spurs, then it would be hard to argue that the balance of power has not entirely shifted.

Moyes is gradually turning his side into a powerhouse, and they could soon be strongly challenging for major silverware every season if they make the right investments in the coming transfer windows.

In other West Ham news, Trevor Sinclair has made Hammers ace transfer admission after Alex Ferguson was left shell-shocked.

Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Hammers and more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.