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View: Lopetegui handed West Ham sack boost after Arteta 'discomfort' admission

West Ham Arteta

Mikel Arteta shares Arsenal injury news before West Ham clash (credit: Imago)

Max Wilkins

Wed 27 November 2024 14:10, UK

Julen Lopetegui could be handed a boost at West Ham after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed Gabriel is suffering from “some discomfort”.

The Hammers welcome the Gunners to the London Stadium on Saturday (30 November) with the under-pressure manager in need of a positive result at home.

A win against Newcastle United on Monday (25 November) was enough for the Spaniard to keep his job but a clash against Arteta’s men is a much tougher task.

This could be made easier by the possible absence of Gabriel after he was taken off due to injury in the win over Sporting Lisbon.

The Express shared (27 November) that after the game, the manager said: “We had to make the change because he was feeling some discomfort.

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“I was about to make the change for Raz [Raheem Sterling], poor thing, I couldn’t make the sub. We had to get him out.”

Mikel Arteta could save Julen Lopetegui at West Ham

There have been whispers that a poor string of results in the coming matches could prove to be the final straw for the ex-Real Madrid boss in East London.

A win against Newcastle bought him some additional time but a defeat against the Gunners, depending on the manner of the loss, could still spell the end.

As a result, Lopetegui will be hoping that his players can step up to the task just as they did at St James’ Park.

This will only be made easier by the possible absence of the Brazilian centre-back who makes up an excellent partnership with William Saliba.

Julen Lopetegui West Ham

West Ham United head coach Julen Lopetegui [Credit: Imago]

The likes of Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio and Lucas Paqueta must take advantage of the potential frailties of the North Londoners’ back line.

If the attacking talents that the Hammers possess can make the most of this then Lopetegui may be afforded more time as head coach at the London Stadium.

In other West Ham news, Jeff Stelling has reacted as a Mo Salah jibe was made live on talkSPORT.

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