One man who will keep a keen eye on West Ham United’s Carabao Cup fourth-round tie with Arsenal at London Stadium on Wednesday evening is former Hammers and Gunners defender Nigel Winterburn.
After starting his professional career with Wimbledon, the left-back spent 13 years in north London, winning two First Division and one Premier League titles, two FA Cups, a European Cup Winners’ Cup and a host of other trophies with Arsenal.
In 2000, at the age of 36, Winterburn moved to the Boleyn Ground when he was signed by manager Harry Redknapp, and he went on to play 94 games for the Irons across three seasons.
Now 59, the former defender is now a media pundit who remains interested in how both his former clubs are performing – and he has been impressed by both.
“David Moyes’ new signings have strengthened his squad and no matter who you’re buying or how much you’re paying, there’s always some initial hesitancy there. Will they perform? Will they settle? A manager always needs to have self-belief in what he’s doing but, to date, it looks like David’s spent well,” Winterburn explained.
“James Ward-Prowse, Edson Álvarez and Mohammed Kudus have certainly contributed to a decent start and, hopefully, their early performance levels will continue.
“While the Hammers seem to have spent their money wisely, Declan Rice has equally been a terrific signing for Arsenal but, then again, he’d make any team stronger, wouldn’t he?
“The Gunners have also dug out some good results this year and, although they perhaps haven’t always looked as dynamic as they did at times last season, remember they’ve beaten Manchester City in both the Community Shield and the Premier League.
“Those two victories will have given them huge belief that they can go one better this time around but there’s still a long, long way to go. Like any team, Arsenal will need a bit of luck, too, but I’ll be delighted if they’re still up there challenging come late-April/early-May because that’ll mean that their progression’s continued.
“Hopefully, they’ve put some doubt into City’s minds, too, and although it won’t be just a two-horse race, Pep Guardiola’s team remains the one everyone needs to head off at the top of the table.
“Mikel Arteta has got Arsenal challenging once more but remember David Moyes has done a terrific job, too. Sure, he came under pressure at times last season and, although it was disappointing to see the Hammers underachieve in the league, it was such a huge boost for everyone connected with the Football Club when they collected that UEFA Europa Conference League trophy.
“Just like in any domestic competition, you’ve got to perform against the teams you come up against in Europe and, if you’re not focused on the job, you’ll quickly go out of the tournament.
“We know who they are (!) but supporters of certain other clubs can have a tendency to belittle competitions, albeit looking at the scenes out there in Prague against Fiorentina, I bet every one of them would’ve swapped places with the Hammers fans, who saw their team get to a European final and then actually lift the trophy.”
Wednesday's tie will kick-off at 7.30pm and be broadcast live on television in the UK by Sky Sports Main Event.
