Mikel Arteta praised Mavropanos’ character.placeholder image
Mikel Arteta praised Mavropanos’ character. | Getty Images
West Ham picked up a big point against Manchester City on Saturday thanks to the heroics of one Hammers defender.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has praised the progress of West Ham defender Konstantinos Mavropanos after the defender’s head-turning performance against Manchester City at the weekend.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side picked up a huge point against Manchester City at the London Stadium. Mavropanos bagged the equaliser in the 35th minute and worked hard to keep Erling Haaland quiet.
That result, of course, played into the hands of title chasing Arsenal. Mavropanos spent four years on the books at the Emirates Stadium between 2018 and 2022, before moving to West Ham on a £19 million move.
The defender only ever made eight first team appearances for the Gunners but Arteta has positive memories of the player. When asked about his progress this week, with Mavropanos’ heroics having done his old side a favour, Arteta said: “Very, very good character. A player that was signed just before I arrived as well. He had a long-term injury and didn’t get that many minutes but good to see him doing really well.”
Troy Deeney labels West Ham man Mavropanos ‘a beast’
It’s been quite the turnaround for Mavropanos, who was supposedly on the list of players to be sold by former manager Graham Potter last summer. Football Insider had reported that Potter was ‘actively exploring replacements’ for the Greek international.
The defender has now started 10 of the last 11 Premier League matches under Nuno, becoming one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Mavroapnos’ performance against Man City was impressive enough to earn a place in the BBC Sport Team of the Week, selected by Troy Deeney. The Hammers man was chosen to partner Arsenal defender William Saliba in the back four and was the only West Ham man included.
Deeney wrote: “He put his face in front of the ball when Haaland blasted it at him from five yards. In the age where everyone turns their back, he is an old-school centre-back.
“And he scored with his team’s only shot of the game. He was a beast against Manchester City.”
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