West Ham’s £24 million man finally makes his mark

Marko Arnautovic was considered something of a joke figure at West Ham United just a few short months ago. Representing the club’s highest record transfer fee at £24 million, the misfiring Austrian international seemingly lacked what it took to perform in front of the Hammers faithful.

 

His preferred position was considered something of a mystery, as to was his perceived lack of work ethic and unrelenting disciplinary issues. Put in no uncertain terms whatsoever, it looked as if Marko Arnautovic would be nothing short of a keen waste of time for the Hammers.

 

👏👏 pic.twitter.com/Q70tmuwdoC

— West Ham United (@WestHam) January 13, 2018

 

Fast forward some months later however, and the big Austrian hit-man can seemingly do no wrong among the English top-flight. He has proven himself to be strong and proficient, registering six goals and three assists in his last seven Premier League outings.

 

The 28-year-old Austrian was unable to showcase his worth whilst plying his trade under Slaven Bilic, but since David Moyes has been introduced at West Ham with newfound ambitions in mind, the confident frontman seems to be going from strength to strength.

 

Marko Arnautović has been directly involved in 9 goals in his last 7 Premier League games for West Ham:

⚽ 6 goals
🅰 3 assists

Man on fire🔥 pic.twitter.com/9hGw7wb7SA

— Wᴇsᴛ Hᴀᴍ Sᴏᴄɪᴀʟ (@WestHamSocial) January 13, 2018

 

It’s not the first time the Hammers fans have found themselves a player they can count upon. In losing Dimitri Payet this time last year, West Ham lost more than just a talented attacking midfielder. They lost their talisman, the one player who the East-End faithful would gladly pay to watch time and time again.

 

Although Marko Arnautovic is by no means on the same level of West Ham’s former French favourite, the ex-Stoke City man is going some way to filling the once insatiable void left by Dimitri Payet. Who knows what the future could soon hold for the Austrian if he continues to play in such a rich vein of form.

 

Marko Arnautovic has as many league goals in the last four weeks as Cristiano Ronaldo has all season. pic.twitter.com/uLQ1mUpANj

— Coral (@Coral) January 13, 2018

 

David Moyes has been criticised on occasion for failing to include a recognised centre-forward among his first-team set-up. At times, the well-versed Scottish tactician has chosen to leave out each of Javier Hernandez, Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho despite West Ham’s pressing need for goals inside the final third.

 

Yet even with the critics on his back for much of the current season, Moyes has seemingly placed a large dose of his faith in Marko Arnautovic regardless of the alternate options currently at his disposal. So far, the results have proven somewhat fruitful.

 

Does anyone know if Arnautovic is single……. asking for a friend….☺️

— ExWHUEmployee (@ExWHUEmployee) January 13, 2018

 

At this rate, West Ham United are well on course to securing their top-flight status for another coming season. With just a few more points on the board and some improved performances to come, it remains to be seen what the Hammers can really achieve between now and the end of the current campaign.

 

Obviously, Marko Arnautovic has been discredited in the past for failing to prove both reliable and consistent right when it matters most. In previous seasons, Potters fans have pointed the finger of blame at the Austrian for only turning up for certain matches not fulfilling his highly rated potential.

 

Massive win !!!!!! My brother is on fire 🔥@Arnautovic_10 #COYI pic.twitter.com/KUXvid4j2A

— Arthur Masuaku (@ArthurMasuaku) January 13, 2018

 

Yet if West Ham do eventually stay up this season, potentially in the place of Stoke City, much of that achievement will likely be down to Arnautovic and his promising form so far under David Moyes.

 

Whether playing as a makeshift striker or just an unorthodox attacking space-finder, this is one man who has even more to offer down at the London Stadium.

 

Marko Arnautovic is living proof why you don't write off players before they've played more than a handful of games for the club.

— Mark Harrison (@MarkHarrison23) January 13, 2018

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