- West Ham United host Arsenal on Sunday at the London Stadium
- The Hammers are 18th in the Premier League with three matches remaining
- Nuno Espírito Santo was tight-lipped on his future despite reports
The margin for error is quickly closing for West Ham United as they get ready to play Arsenal in a match that may have serious repercussions for both teams as the Premier League season approaches its pivotal final stretch.
The match on Sunday takes place in the midst of growing tensions in east London. Due to their recent inconsistent performance, West Ham are 18th and now firmly in the relegation debate, and every outcome is now more important.
Arsenal are solidly in the control seat for the title and are vying for every point, following Manchester City’s 3-3 draw at Everton on Monday night.
Nuno Espírito Santo has no energy for future talk
Ahead of Sunday’s pivotal match at the London Stadium, Nuno Espírito Santo has reiterated that he is entirely focused on the current issue confronting West Ham and has no “energy” to comment on any future plans.
The Hammers manager made a clear statement about the team’s approach as they fight until the end of the season during his pre-match news conference.
“I’m going to be honest with you – I don’t have one second to think about next season. It’s so demanding, what we have, the challenge, especially the game on Sunday [against Arsenal]; that’s what we have to focus on.”
But Nuno was eager to emphasise that his present way of thinking does not include long-term planning or outside noise. Rather, he concentrates on keeping the team and staff cohesive as they get ready for a pivotal match.
I don’t have enough energy to think about what’s ahead. It’s tomorrow, then tomorrow, day-by-day,” he added.
“All the club, all the staff, the board, the players, the fans, we have our mission. It’s about Sunday, and we just focus on Sunday.”
Nuno’s current situation
As West Ham’s struggle for relegation intensifies, Santo’s situation there becomes more precarious. With three games left, the Hammers are in the drop zone. According to reports, the board is already looking at other management options in case a change is needed this summer.
His contract, which is thought to be valid only if West Ham stays in the Premier League, is also uncertain, perhaps leaving him powerless over his destiny.
Nuno is reportedly eager to stay regardless of the outcome, but backup plans, including interest in Slaven Bilić, underline the mounting uncertainty.
