- West Ham United are 18th in the Premier League
- The Hammers host Arsenal on Sunday afternoon
- Former West Ham player Vladimír Coufal is optimistic for the Irons’ survival chances
West Ham United return to action today knowing that their margin for error is fast shrinking, with a high-stakes game against Arsenal hanging high in their bid for Premier League survival. With the season nearing its conclusion, every point has become increasingly important for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side, who must now balance pressure with performance against the title-chasing Gunners.
The Hammers are in the relegation zone and know that anything other than a win at the London Stadium will keep them there ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s Monday night game with Leeds United.
As for Arsenal, they come into east London with a heightened sense of pressure following Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Brentford on Saturday. Mikel Arteta’s men are two points clear at the top, but only have a slender one-goal advantage on goal difference and will have played a game more following the weekend’s end.
Vladimír Coufal optimistic for West Ham’s survival chances
Ahead of the crucial clash, former West Ham player Vladimír Coufal discussed his thoughts on the Hammers’ situation.
Coufal, now at TSG Hoffenheim, was one of the lauded heroes from West Ham’s Conference League triumphs in Prague. Speaking to capitalfootball.co.uk in the mixed zone following Hoffenheim’s 1-0 win over Werder Bremen, the Czech international admitted West Ham’s advantage in playing at home.
“We have to play our game… I still say ‘our,’ sorry. I am still there,” Coufal said with a smile. “West Ham just have to play their game: their philosophy, set-pieces, be tough to beat and give everything. And I think with the help of the fans, who will be right behind them tomorrow, they will get it tomorrow. The fans will be right on their feet.”
During his five seasons at the club, Coufal struck up a great relationship with the Irons faithful alongside long-time teammate Tomáš Souček. The right-back made 180 appearances for West Ham, contributing to 20 assists during his time.
Asked whether relegation would be a ‘disaster’ for West Ham, Coufal responded: “I am no longer at the club… but for me as a West Ham fan, it would be a bad situation. But I am obviously optimistic, and I am behind the boys ’til the last second.”
“Even if they didn’t get a result tomorrow, there will still be two games to go. They can win in Newcastle, and the last game is Leeds at home. No problem at all. I hope they will show the togetherness tomorrow, which I was told has returned since Nuno Espírito Santo took over. I hope they survive.”
Cult hero Coufal on Declan Rice
In a game heavy with permutations, it is expected that the return of Declan Rice will still be the all-consuming. The former West Ham captain left the club for Arsenal for a then-Premier League record fee of £105 million and has since become an integral part of the Gunners’ domestic and European objectives, while West Ham has declined in his departure.
Coufal won West Ham’s first European trophy in 58 years alongside Rice and offered insight into their relationship.
“I follow Declan a lot. I wrote him a few messages recently about his performances. I said it many times: he will become the best number 8 or number 6 in the world. I think he is already. He’s playing unbelievable football… this guy has absolutely everything. Right foot, his speed, power, dribbling, his shot, left foot.”
“I think he’s delivering it now in Arsenal. And he’s leading them to a title, but I imagine for him it’s going to be a very ‘checkmate’ situation because he knows he can send West Ham to the Championship. But football is a business, a tough business, and there will be no mercy tomorrow. Arsenal will play for the title, and when Declan [has] the chance to score, he will score, that’s for sure.”
