**West Ham’s attackers haven’t been in the most prolific form lately.**
Despite scoring six goals in their last four games, the Irons haven’t looked very potent in attack recently. Since the 4–0 win over Wolves last month, West Ham have scored just two Premier League goals in three games.
Nuno Espírito Santo had to rely on a last-minute Callum Wilson equaliser against Everton, which came either side of games against Crystal Palace and Brentford, where the Hammers failed to score.
The Irons have some real attacking quality, but they haven’t been firing lately. Crysencio Summerville’s last goal came away at Fulham in March, and Jarrod Bowen hasn’t found the net in the league since January.
Taty Castellanos has four Premier League goals since his winter move, but hasn’t always been the most effective finisher – though he has also been very unfortunate on many occasions.
And as for Pablo…
Look, I really like Pablo. He works very hard; he brings others into the game. There is something endearing about his extremely unorthodox play style. But sometimes it feels like there is more chance of me getting asked out by Margot Robbie than the Hammers’ No. 19 finding the net.
The point is, Nuno’s attackers need to start scoring goals again if his side are to stay up. Konstantinos Mavropanos has been our main attacking threat over the last month, which is concerning.
Callum Wilson shows great instincts, but he can’t last a full game and isn’t very effective when he isn’t in front of goal. Some supporters may call for his inclusion in Sunday’s starting eleven instead of Pablo, but the former Newcastle man has been most effective as a super-sub this season, offering little moments of magic for the Irons late in games.
Likewise, some fans wish to see Adama Traoré start for the Hammers. Like Michail Antonio before him, the Spaniard plays with a chaos that can be a burden both to the opposition and his own team.
However, playing Traoré on the right with Jarrod Bowen up front alongside Castellanos could be an interesting proposition. The skipper has struggled out wide recently, and Arsenal will be expecting him to start in his natural position.
By playing Bowen up front, it will give Mikel Arteta’s side something to think about. It would also place the club’s best finisher in a more central position, which should present him with more goalscoring opportunities.
Ultimately, I’m not the manager. But to beat this Arsenal team, Nuno may have to think outside the box. It would be a risk, but the Hammers boss has to be brave in these last three games of the season.