The summer signing has flattered to deceive since arriving at West Ham United.
When Marko Arnautovic moved from Stoke City to West Ham United in the summer for an initial £20million (the Telegraph), the Austrian international was expected to become a key player for the Hammers.
Brought in alongside Javier Hernandez, the 28-year-old was expected to add creativity and additional goal-threat to a side that had struggled to find the net regularly the previous season. But after a shaky start and an early red card, things have hit an unwelcome plateau for a player who really should be doing far better.
Yet to score in nine appearances for his new club, Arnautovic may have to get used to a role on the bench and, while new manager David Moyes will have his own plans, that could actually work to the cub’s advantage if the attacker takes a leaf out of another West Ham player’s book.
Earlier this season, Arthur Masuaku took the disappointment of being benched in favour of the under-performing Aaron Cresswell and channeled it into some fine performances from the bench, setting up goals against Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City despite being on the field for a combined total of just 28 minutes.
In contrast, Arnautovic has made far less impact for West Ham when coming off the bench and he needs to use his frustration for the good of his game.
Moyes may give him chances from the outset in his early weeks at the Hammers but, if he follows Slaven Bilic’s lead and opts for alternative attackers, West Ham’s £20million man should vow to prove his gaffer wrong, coming off the bench and making a real difference.
He certainly has the skill-set to do just that; only time will tell if it works.
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