West Ham United is facing a potential hurdle as illness strikes key players ahead of their upcoming clash against Arsenal.
According to the Daily Mail, West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd and Maxwel Cornet are both considered doubtful for the Premier League showdown with Arsenal due to illness. Their absence was notably felt during West Ham’s triumphant 2-0 victory over Manchester United on 23 December.
The report in the British publication indicates that Aguerd and Cornet’s participation in the impending trip to Arsenal on 28 December remains uncertain.
As it stands, Michail Antonio stands as the only confirmed absentee for the London derby confrontation at Emirates Stadium.
Aguerd, who has commenced 16 of West Ham’s 18 Premier League fixtures this season, holds a pivotal role in the team, rendering any prolonged absence far from ideal. Nevertheless, Konstantinos Mavropanos—a former Arsenal player—demonstrated his capabilities by partnering with Kurt Zouma during the triumph over Manchester United. Mavropanos was notably enlisted at great expense during the summer precisely for scenarios like these and is likely to receive the opportunity to face his former club.
In contrast, Cornet’s potential absence may not significantly impact the team, reflecting the limited involvement he has experienced at West Ham. The 27-year-old has featured just once in the Premier League this season, primarily reserving his contributions for the Europa League.
While the situation presents a challenge, there is hope that both players will swiftly recover and bolster David Moyes’ arsenal of options. Despite the current setbacks, Moyes possesses adequate squad depth to navigate the absence of Aguerd, Cornet, and forward Antonio.
