West Ham left-back Arthur Masuaku did not have the best of games after replacing the injured Aaron Cresswell in the second half against Arsenal on Monday night.
The Frenchman was at fault for Nicolas Pepe’s goal after allowing the Ivorian inside onto his stronger left foot to shoot. Fans on Twitter don’t believe he should be picked at left-back in the future:
Mate his defending is dreadful
— luke degilbert (@lukedeegilbert2) December 9, 2019
Let’s not forget though- He’s not a defender.
— Rob Smith (@RCSmith91) December 9, 2019
Showing Pepe inside was criminal
— WestHamFanTone (@WestHamFanTone) December 9, 2019
And yet fans constantly clammer for him. I’d rather play 3 at the back than 4 w him
— West Ham Ottawa #COYI (@Lystenman) December 9, 2019
At least we haven’t handed him a whacking great big contract…….oh hang on…
— Mr C (@mattcordery) December 10, 2019
He makes Julian Faubert look like a world-class wing back
— Corey (@CoreyKemp_) December 9, 2019
A list of defenders better at defending than Masuaku:
1/ Guy Demel
2/ George McCartney
3/ Joey O’Brien
4/ Razvan Rat
5/ Carl JenkinsonThe list goes on… #WHUARS
— ⚒ COYIrons ⚒ (@COYIrons_com) December 9, 2019
Yup. He’d be a great wing back though. Shame no one plays wing backs any more.
— Ben Blaney (@benblaney) December 9, 2019
Masuaku has shown he is more than decent in the final third of the pitch with his excellent delivery, but he is far less convincing as a defender.
However, after Cresswell picked up a hamstring issue, Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini may have no choice but to pick the Congolese international in a defensive role once again, when they face Southampton on Saturday.
The game at St Mary’s could well decide Pellegrini’s future as manager, and he will certainly be hoping for a better performance from Masuaku this weekend.