West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that Marko Arnautovic will miss the next month with a hamstring injury.
The Austrian was substituted five minutes before halftime in the 3-1 win over Cardiff on Tuesday and will now miss the busy festive period.
Fans on Twitter had mixed reaction to the news with some believing the side should be able to cope without Arnautovic with the fixtures coming up, while others felt it would be a major problem:
Massive blow but this rest will do him the world of good. Going to get a even better Arnautovic once he is back ?
— West Ham COYI (@TheHammers_) 6 December 2018
He should have been rested a while ago, will do him good to rest, recover
— Amandeep Stevens (@dilemma1979) 6 December 2018
Death, Taxes and a key WHU Striker picking up an injury. ♻️
— Amos (@Melburnian) 6 December 2018
So sad for this
— Aadil Ahmed (@AadilAh01270677) 7 December 2018
Don’t need him with the return of Andrew Thomas Carroll
— mark nobles boyfriend (@CWooo__) 6 December 2018
That’s ok. AC is usually healthy for around a month. Should balance out.
— Velvet Rebel (@VelvetRebel1984) 6 December 2018
As long as Chicharito and Lucas keep scoring
— Jeff (@whujeff) 6 December 2018
Noo 🙁
— Yara_8 (@YaraElHajj8) 6 December 2018
A few supporters feel the striker might do a Payet and force through a move away from the club, with Manchester United having been linked with the player:
Think this could turn into another Payet situation don’t seem to want to be there half the time ?⚒
— Ian Bennett (@ianbenjy7) 6 December 2018
Cough** so he can force a move in January **Cough
— Oliver Stapley (@OliverStapley) 6 December 2018
Back just in time to sign for Man Utd ?
— jay leach (@jayleach3) 6 December 2018
With Andy Carroll having returned to full fitness, and Lucas Perez having scored twice after coming on as a substitute versus Cardiff, Pellegrini does have alternatives to the Austrian international.
Whether any of the options prove as consistent as Arnautovic has been this campaign, it remains to be seen. The 29-year-old has scored five goals in 13 Premier League games this season.
