As West Ham United prepare for the remainder of the season and the match vs Arsenal things are really not going their way. The Hammers come into the game on the back of a stunning loss away to Hull City which leaves them only 6 points clear of the relegation zone and they are winless in their last 6 Premier League games losing 4 and drawing 2 over that period while they have conceded a most worrying 13 goals.

Goal scoring continues to be a problem for Slaven Bilic as they have only managed 9 goals over the most recent winless skid meaning the acquisition of a striker is becoming more and more of a necessity.

Looking at the infirmary at the London Stadium the have several long-term absentees in the form of wideman Gokhan Tore who is out with a knee injury until mid July plus centre back Angelo Ogbonna is not expected back before the end of the season as he recovers from his knee surgery and midfielder Pedro Obiang is not expected to return before season’s end either from his ankle problem.

Defender Winston Reid is not estimated to return until April 29th with his groin strain and fellow defender England international Aaron Cresswell is likely to be sidelined until April 15th with his knock. The only vaguely good news comes from the possible return tonight of Michal Antonio who could face Arsenal if he passes a fitness test on his hamstring strain and Dianfro Sakho could also be back if he also gets by his fitness test on his injured back but Slaven Bilic is unlikely to be able to turn to either player for the full 90 minutes.

So with 7 players either out for some time or only just preparing to return West Ham certainly have not had luck on their side. They face the season run-in with tough games against Arsenal and Stoke as well as a home matches with top 6 chasing Everton and scraps with relegation threatened Swansea and Sunderland.

Hopefully Slaven Bilic can get his fit players to come together and produce the displays they are capable of and a little luck would not go amiss either.