NOT DIFFICULT FOR MARKO TO BE OUR LEADER
MARKO ARNAUTOVIC has bounced back from his Brighton bashing to become one of West Ham’s leaders like Mark Noble, according to Manuel Pellegrini.
But the West Ham boss believes “difficult character” Arnautovic has more to do to become a real top player.
After their 3-0 home hammering by tonight’s opponents Brighton last October, pundit Gary Neville said: “That guy [Arnautovic] is Ronaldo in his own mind. That’s the problem, he thinks he’s better than he is.”
In the end Arnautovic’s debut season at the London Stadium didn’t get going until December.
Having failed to score in his 13 appearances and also being sent off once, he ended the campaign with 11 goals in his final 22 games.
Arnautovic has now developed into a talismanic figure and Pellegrini said: “Yes he is a leader too, part of the things I demand.
“Marko has character, a difficult character, he is always trying to give all of him because it is the way he feels football.
“Now he has more years he is controlling himself more, so I hope we will not have any problems.
“He can score more. He must have a complete season. He has done well this season but to be a top player you must try and score in every game.”
Pellegrini also praised captain Mark Noble for the role he has played in the Hammers’ turnaround, helping them go four unbeaten on his return from injury, after losing their first four league games.
Pellegrini was quickly made aware of long-serving Noble’s importance – on the pitch and in the West Ham dressing room – following his summer appointment.
After being told just how influential he was by Pablo Zabaleta, Pellegrini made a point of meeting up with Noble while the midfielder was on holiday to get the lowdown on life at West Ham.
Pellegrini said: “When you are a captain it is because you are a player that needs to be a leader.
“Mark has a lot of reasons why he is the captain – he has so many years here at the club, he is a midfielder that has a lot of influence in the way we play and he has the personality to acquire from everyone his best performance.
“It is very important to have someone like him in the dressing room but not just one player. In the squad you need three or four.
“During the week they are always demanding from the rest of the squad and it is better if they have a good career so all the young players have the best example.”