Dan Carter

Wed 27 December 2023 16:10, UK

David Moyes has provided an update on Michail Antonio and Nayef Aguerd’s fitness ahead of West Ham United’s clash with Arsenal on Thursday 28 December.

The Hammers travel to the Emirates off the back of their impressive 2-0 win over Manchester United last time out and are hoping to make it three wins on the bounce, but may be without two of their key stars for the trip across London.

Moyes has confirmed that Thursday’s game has come too quickly for Antonio who won’t be ready to feature against the Gunners and also admitted that he will have to wait and see whether or not Aguerd will be able to return to the starting XI.

Speaking in his pre-Arsenal press conference on Wednesday (27 December) he said: “Michail Antonio isn’t ready yet, and I’ll need to see how Nayef Aguerd is. But I think that’s it for the moment.”

Wait and see

Given West Ham’s current form, especially going forward, Antonio would have been unlikely to start against Arsenal on Thursday, even if the Jamaican international had managed to regain his fitness in time for the trip to the Emirates.

During Antonio’s absence, Jarrod Bowen has managed to make the centre-forward position his own and is now really beginning to thrive as the Irons’ number nine. When the Englishman is fit and available, it seems almost certain he will lead the line in East London.

The potential absence of Aguerd will be a bigger blow for the Hammers however, as the Morrocan has been in fine form so far this season. While Konstantinos Mavropanos stepped up in his absence against Manchester United, he has appeared slightly shaky at times this season.

Hopefully, Moyes will be able to call upon Aguerd by the time Thursday night’s game rolls around. The Scotsman wasn’t keen to give much away surrounding the centre-back’s fitness during his press conference and may well be remaining deliberately coy.

In other West Ham news, Atalanta have tested the waters over a potential move for Thilo Kehrer in January