---
title: "Pellegrini confirms reason for Arnautovic absence"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2019/02/28/pellegrini-confirms-reason-for-arnautovic-absence/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Elliott Cuff"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2019-02-28T19:54:39Z"
modified: "2019-02-28T20:09:29Z"
---

# Pellegrini confirms reason for Arnautovic absence

Manuel Pellegrini has admitted that striker Marko Arnautovic missed West Ham’s game against Manchester City with an illness.

The Hammers lost 1-0 to City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening, with Andy Carroll occupying the sole striker spot for the London club.

Speaking after the game, as reported by [Football.London](https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/fixtures-results/pellegrini-transcript-every-word-west-15898426), the Chilean coach confirmed that a fever kept the Austria international on the sidelines, saying:

![Julian Finney/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readwestham.com/readwestham/2019/02/1131462464.jpg)

> We were very unlucky that Marko Arnautovic woke up ill with a fever because we wanted to have a good recovery in our box, have three fast players up front with \[Michail\] Antonio and \[Felipe\] Anderson to make good counter attacks.

The Hammers will hope the former Stoke City man is fit to play this weekend, where they host Newcastle United at the London Stadium.