As the clash between West Ham and Arsenal looms large at the London Stadium this weekend, David Moyes finds himself grappling with a selection headache, particularly in defense.
While West Ham’s starting XI is usually straightforward when everyone is fit, Moyes has been troubled this season by the lack of depth in his squad, especially in comparison to Arsenal’s more extensive options.
Unlike Mikel Arteta, who is accustomed to managing selection headaches, Moyes prefers a smaller squad and got his wish after the January transfer window, leaving West Ham with one of the leanest squads in the Premier League.
However, one area where Moyes does have options is at center-back, where he now faces a dilemma over the inclusion of Nayef Aguerd against Arsenal.
When Aguerd was unavailable over Christmas due to illness and later joined Morocco for AFCON, Konstantinos Mavropanos stepped in admirably, notably shining in West Ham’s memorable win over Arsenal in December.
Despite Mavropanos’ solid performances, Moyes surprisingly opted to start Aguerd in the recent defeat to Manchester United, a decision that raised eyebrows given Aguerd’s tendency for costly errors.
While Aguerd possesses a lethal left foot, his defensive lapses have left much to be desired, prompting questions about his £30m price tag from Rennes.
Following the defeat to Manchester United, Moyes defended his decision but acknowledged that Aguerd needs to improve.
Now, Moyes must weigh his options for the Arsenal clash, considering whether to recall Mavropanos, who impressed in previous encounters against the Gunners.
With Kurt Zouma’s form also under scrutiny, Moyes faces a dilemma in balancing experience and form in his defensive lineup.
Ultimately, Moyes’ preference for Aguerd has left him with a self-inflicted problem, as Mavropanos had earned his place in the starting lineup through his performances.
As the showdown with Arsenal approaches, Moyes must make a decision that could shape West Ham’s defensive stability and their chances of securing a crucial victory.
