West Ham vs. Southampton: Opposition threat

By Marc Walker | Mar 30, 2018

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 13: Manuel Lanzini of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his sides fourth goal with Mark Noble of West Ham United and Aaron Cresswell of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and West Ham United at John Smith's Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /

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SWANSEA, WALES – MARCH 03: Kyle Naughton of Swansea City and Marko Arnautovic of West Ham United battle for the ball during the Premier League match between Swansea City and West Ham United at Liberty Stadium on March 3, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images) /

Marko Arnautovic

Austrian Arnautovic is often one of the Hammers’ most creative players and possesses some great skill on the ball.

He has seven goals and three assists to his name in the Premier League so far this season, and has been deployed centrally as a striker in his most recent games.

Along with Arnautovic’s moments of brilliance come some moments of madness, and Saints fans will remember him being sent off for a wild challenge in West Ham’s 3-2 loss at St. Mary’s back in August.

It will be important for the Southampton defenders to get their challenges in early on the forward and not allow him to see enough of the ball to create openings.