David Moyes shares what he told Marko Arnautovic to spark stunning change in form

Follow us on Google Discover

West Ham United drew 3-3 at Bournemouth on Tuesday afternoon.

West Ham United boss David Moyes has told Football.London that he thinks Marko Arnautovic’s upturn in form is down to a better work ethic.

The Hammers travelled down to Bournemouth on Boxing Day in search of three points after losing 3-2 to Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon.

David Moyes’ men made the perfect start with an early opener from James Collins, before goals from Dan Gosling and Nathan Ake turned the game on its head, putting Bournemouth 2-1 up.

Marko Arnautovic of West Ham United celebrates scoring against Bournemouth

Marko Arnautovic then pounced on some slack defending to score twice, handing West Ham a 3-2 lead heading into the dying stages – only for Callum Wilson to score a controversial injury-time leveller.

The result leaves West Ham just one point above the relegation zone, and whilst Moyes will be frustrated with Bournemouth’s contentious equaliser, he will also be delighted with Arnautovic.

The Austrian forward, 28, had struggled following a summer move from Stoke City, but now has five goals in his last five league games as he begins to thrive under Moyes.

Having failed to impress under Slaven Bilic, many are wondering just how Moyes is getting the best out of Arnautovic – and the Scot told Football.London that it’s down to telling him that he wouldn’t play if he didn’t put in the effort.

Marko Arnautovic of West Ham United scores against Bournemouth

Moyes added that Arnautovic must keep his work ethic up, and feels that getting him playing as a striker is also contributing to his form picking up in recent weeks.

“I think just telling him if he wasn’t going to run then he wasn’t going to play and I think he took it as simple as that,” said Moyes. “I think nobody doubts his quality as a footballer, his ability but maybe he has got to make sure that his mentality side of it he needs to keep doing it. For us, he has been great. We’ve said the same to all players that if they don’t run around the won’t play.”

“I saw a couple of players today that will get a clip around the ear on Monday or whatever day we are on when we get back into training but Marko, I think he was always a good player. Maybe having a role up top might suit him as well,” he added.