West Ham United team news v Arsenal as illness strikes again
West Ham pair Nayef Aguerd and Maxwel Cornet are doubtful for the Premier League clash with Arsenal due to illness, according to the Daily Mail.
Both players were also absent from the squad for West Ham’s 2-0 win over Manchester United on Saturday (23 December).
In a report for the print edition of the British publication, it is claimed that Aguerd and Cornet remain doubtful for the trip to Arsenal on 28 December.
Michail Antonio is West Ham’s only confirmed absentee for the London derby showdown at Emirates Stadium.
Mavropanos likely to start
Aguerd has started 16 of West Ham’s 18 Premier League matches this season, so any sort of prolonged absence is not exactly ideal.
However, Konstantinos Mavropanos – a former Arsenal player, of course – stepped up alongside Kurt Zouma for the win over Man United.
Mavropanos was signed for big money in the summer for this exact reason, and he is likely to now get the nod against his former side.
Cornet’s absence will barely be felt, meanwhile, which unfortunately says an awful lot about his West Ham career.
The 27-year-old has played just once in the Premier League this season, with his appearances usually reserved for the Europa League.
With a bit of luck, both men will soon be back to full health soon to give David Moyes as many options as possible.
For now, though, the Scotsman has enough depth in his squad to cope with being without Aguerd, Cornet and indeed centre-forward Antonio.
In other West Ham news, Richard Keys was left baffled by something Erik ten Hag said following the Hammers’ win over Manchester United.