David Moyes says West Ham’s Carabao Cup win over Arsenal will count for nothing when the two face off in the Premier League tonight.
Moyes’ men beat their London rivals 3-1 in the League Cup early last month in a performance that did much to buoy their fans’ hopes of more silverware this season.
But with seven weeks on and with some up and down performances and results since (not least the Carabao Cup drubbing at the hands of Liverpool last week) Moyes is only too aware that that victory will mean nothing as soon as the whistle goes this evening.
”[I’m expecting] huge challenges. Arsenal have always been a really hard team to beat,” he said.
“We had a good result against them in the cup but this is a different competition.
“The league throws up different players and Arsenal changed their team for the game in the League Cup so they will be back to their full-strength team, I’ve no doubt, and going to the Emirates Stadium has never been an easy game.”
Arsenal have the chance to go top of the table with victory and Moyes was full of praise for a “brilliant job” done by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.
“I’ve been impressed with Mikel since he first went in,” Moyes said.
“He won the FA Cup and the Community Shield, so a couple of wins right at the start.
“Then obviously it went a bit difficult and there was a lot of talk about him, but he hasn’t half proved all those doubters wrong because he’s done a brilliant job with Arsenal.
“He’s got them incredibly competitive, back around the top of the league and competing again. I think most Arsenal supporters will be happy with Mikel.”
Stay here for all the team news and action with kick off all set for 8.15.