KOUYATE IS PRESSING FOR REPEAT

CHEIKHOU KOUYATE believes lightning can strike twice for West Ham at Arsenal tomorrow night.

The Senegal midfielder opened the scoring with a header in the very first game of last season at the Emirates as the Hammers beat the Gunners 2-0 with Mauro Zarate adding the second goal.

Both clubs are now under pressure at opposite ends of the table – and Kouyate is convinced his side will be able to take advantage of Arsenal’s turmoil.

He said: “We had a fantastic result at the Emirates last season. I remember it well and it was an unbelievable day for us, so why can’t it happen again this year?

“Arsenal is a nice team which plays good football in a good stadium and they need points, but it is the same for us.

“West Ham need some points and we will battle for the whole 90 minutes to take all three again.” West Ham are six points clear of the drop zone with eight games remaining. The club’s board have backed boss Slaven Bilic following their fourth defeat in a row last Saturday.

Kouyate, 27, who has yet to score in the Premier League this season, added: “For Arsenal, they have had some bad results but they are still one of the best teams in the league.

“Arsenal have some great players and we have to be careful because they are a hungry team and they need the points.

“It’s a very, very difficult moment for us, but sometimes you have this period one time in a year or one time in two years. It is important that we stay positive, stay together and just focus.

“We need to win some games, just work hard and play hard. We need to take our chances and defend well, but most importantly we need to work together and be positive.”