Fan spots strange post-match behaviour from West Ham duo after Arsenal defeat
West Ham are still finding their feet under Nuno Espirito Santo and the international break may have come at a good time.
Despite West Ham’s 2-0 loss to Arsenal, Nuno seems to have already implemented some of his key principles into the Hammers.
David Sullivan decided to bring Nuno to West Ham after Graham Potter failed to inspire after he was appointed at the start of 2025.
West Ham have seen improved individual displays from the likes of Crysencio Summerville against Arsenal, but Nuno understands it’s going to take team performances to get fans on board.
What Hammers fans won’t want to see are the bizarre scenes that have emerged after Saturday’s defeat.
West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta and Mateus Fernandes held back in full-time gesture
Lucas Paqueta is a key player for Nuno, while summer signing Mateus Fernandes continues to settle in at West Ham.
Paqueta and Fernandes seem to be Nuno‘s preferred midfield partnership as the pair have both started next to each other in the head coach’s first two games in charge.
Both were impressive once more on Saturday, as they look to establish themselves as starters under Nuno.
| Player | Minutes played | Pass accuracy | Tackles | Rating |
| Lucas Paqueta | 90 | 88% | 5 | 7.7 |
| Mateus Fernandes | 90 | 100% | 7 | 7.0 |
However, fans won’t be too pleased that Paqueta and Fernandes were seemingly the only two players in the West Ham squad to not walk over towards the travelling away support, with X user @doddsy35 suggesting both did applaud but from some distance away.
Paqueta was linked with a move away from West Ham in the summer and fans will feel he probably should have come over to acknowledge them at close quarters.
West Ham fans have always travelled and backed their team no matter how bad the circumstances have been, and the players and Nuno now have a responsibility in repaying them.
Nuno Espirito Santo fan and player connection at West Ham
West Ham have just one win in all seven of their opening Premier League games, as they could end the game week rock-bottom if Wolves win on Sunday.
The Hammers do look like a fresh team under Nuno, but these latest developments need to be a first and a last this season.
It’s going to take the coaching staff, players, and fans working together to turn things around, with games coming thick and fast after the international break, offering a chance to improve.
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