The West Ham United summer signing has wasted little time impressing during pre-season.
When West Ham United spent £20million (rising to £25million as reported by the BBC) on Stoke City attacker Marko Arnautovic earlier this summer, there were a few eyebrows raised among the Hammers faithful. However, on early evidence it looks like being one of the signings of the transfer window.
The 28-year-old has wasted little time going to work in impressing his new fans, and his pre-season performances speak of a player who has an air of Zlatan Ibrahimovic about him.
The power and the confidence are clear for all to see, and West Ham fans are quickly realising what Stoke and Austria supporters have known for some time.
No one is expecting Arnautovic to score the same amount of goals as Ibrahimovic managed at Manchester United last season. But if he can bring the same confidence and influence no one will be complaining about his price tag come the end of the campaign.
West Ham struggled for goals last time out, with their only creative catalysts Manuel Lanzini and Michail Antonio. Yet in Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez, things have changed with a few quick transfers.
Arnautovic is the real deal and West Ham fans who have watched him this summer have quickly taken the Austrian to their heart.
He still needs to perform week in, week out, but West Ham supporters know they have a new fan favourite at the club and if he clicks with Hernandez the goals should soon be flowing at the London Stadium.
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