West Ham United must seal transfer after defensive issues in Premier League defeat v Arsenal
West Ham United saw their tough run of form continued as David Moyes’ side suffered a 3-1 loss to Premier League leaders Arsenal at The Emirates.
Things had started brightly for the Hammers on Boxing Day after Said Benrahma had fired them into a first-half lead. However, an improved second half from Mikel Arteta’s side saw Arsenal secure a vital victory to continue their charge towards the Premier League title.
With Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd both out injured, Moyes’ men are suffering defensively at the moment and that was displayed with Thilo Kehrer and Craig Dawson being utilised as the Hammers’ central defensive partnership. Kehrer has been an impressive addition since he was signed from PSG in the summer, however, he’s been used as a right-back and in a three-at-the-back system.
Throwing him in with Dawson, who has barely featured, against the most impressive team in the country at the moment was never going to have a chance of much success.
Dawson has been a bit-part player in the 2022/23 season and it’s been suggested (Express’ Ryan Taylor, GIVEMESPORT, 18 December) that there’s a good chance he will leave the club in January, with his current deal concluding in the summer.
With the injuries Moyes has defensively and the lack of adequate cover, he simply has to delve into the market to add another central defender to his ranks.
The Athletic (26 December) reported that the Hammers could explore a loan deal for Everton’s Michael Keane, and this is a move the Scot should be looking to accelerate in the early part of next month. The 29-year-old hasn’t been pulling up many trees for the Toffees, but as a temporary replacement, he could well be the perfect fit for West Ham.
If the club don’t act to solve their current defensive issues it’s hard to see how they will pull themselves out of their current demise.