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    Vladimir Coufal’s agent slams West Ham and reveals defender is ‘NOT happy’ with new contract

    VLADIMIR COUFAL’S agent has hit out at West Ham for not giving the defender a pay rise this season.SunSport revealed on Monday that the right-back was considering his future at the London Stadium due to his contract situation.
    Vladimir Coufal’s agent has slammed West Ham’s new contract extension for the starCredit: Alamy
    West Ham have extended his current deal, which was due to expire in the summer, by another year after activating an option in the contract.
    But the 31-year-old’s representative, Karol Kisel, says the Czech Republic international “deserves better”, calling for a longer deal on bigger money.
    Speaking to Czech site inFotbalu, Kisel said: “Cuf certainly deserves a better salary from the club and a new, improved, longer-term contract for his long-term performances in the West Ham jersey, in addition to the title in the Conference League.
    “So far, even after negotiations, West Ham’s management sees it differently and has only exercised the option of a one-year extension.
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    “Cuf is not happy about it as we expected a better offer.”
    West Ham yesterday confirmed that Coufal’s close friend and compatriot, Tomas Soucek, had agreed a new deal until 2027 on improved terms.
    Coufal has made 132 appearances for the Hammers since his bargain £5million signing from Slavia Prague in 2020, helping the club win their first trophy for 43 years, the Europa Conference League, in his home country last June.
    Had West Ham not taken up the option to extend his contract, Coufal would have been able to discuss terms with overseas clubs ahead of a free transfer in the summer from this week.
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    Meanwhile, West Ham are waiting on the results of a scan on Mohammed Kudus after he picked up a hamstring injury in the win over Arsenal.
    Kudus would have missed the Premier League clash with Brighton regardless of injury as he was set to join up with Ghana in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations.
    The expectation is that the former Ajax winger will still be able to take part in the tournament, although he has been delayed in joining up with Chris Hughton’s squad. More

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    Out-of-favour Said Benrahma in line for shock transfer to Euro giants as West Ham set £20m asking price

    LYON are ready to make a new move for West Ham’s Said Benrahma.The French side have clawed themselves out of the drop zone after a bad start to the season and hope to attract the winger.
    Said Benrahma could be set to leave West HamCredit: Alamy
    Their first move stalled because the Algerian international was not sure about leaving to join a club in trouble — even on a loan basis.
    However Lyon hope to get permission to make an official approach and sell the idea to the Hammers squad man.
    West Ham want a guaranteed deal of around £20million if Lyon stay up and owner John Textor may go for that.
    Irons boss David Moyes would let Benrahma leave if he can be replaced but the final decision will be made by club chiefs.
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    The 28-year-old is also a potential target for Saudi Arabian clubs and could be on his way out in the next month.
    The Irons signed Benrahma in 2021 for £25million plus £5million in add-ons from Brentford.
    That followed a successful loan deal that West Ham made permanent to free up space for the incoming Jesse Lingard.
    However, Benrahma has struggled for game time.
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    Instead, he’s seen Lucas Paqueta come in to replace him and become a firm fan favourite.
    Last season, Benrahma scored 12 goals in 52 appearances.
    But this campaign he has struggled – appearing 13 times without scoring. More

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    Ian Wright names top level striker Arsenal ‘need to sign’ in transfer window after drawing a blank against West Ham

    IAN WRIGHT has named the “top level” striker Arsenal need to sign in January following their 2-0 defeat to West Ham.The Gunners missed the opportunity to go back to the top of the Premier League table despite dominating and having 30 shots in goal during the match.
    Ian Wright has urged Arsenal to sign Victor OsimhenCredit: Getty
    He was the top scorer in the Serie A last seasonCredit: Rex
    The front three of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli misfired with the Gunners wasting opportunities before Tomas Soucek’s 13th minute opener.
    The Gunners rained shots down on West Ham’s goal in response, with Saka going closest by hitting the post.
    But overall, Alphonse Areola did not have to do much to keep the Gunners at bay.
    Mikel Arteta admitted afterwards that his side had been wasteful in front of goal and cited West Ham’s sharp finishing as the difference.
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    And Ian Wright says that if the Gunners are tow in the title this year, signing a striker is essential.
    He told Premier League productions after the game: “The calibre of player Arsenal need right now i somebody who hits the ground running, a top end striker, like the [Victor] Osimhens of this world… that level of striker.
    “If Arsenal want to do it now they’re going to need that level of goalscorer who will slot in straight away.
    “That’s what they probably need now. I don’t think any Arsenal fan will look at the game and not see that we need a killer in front of goal.”
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    Arteta was asked about potential reinforcements in January and said: “What we have is the players that we have, it’s the players that I love the most.
    “What we have to do is try to get better situations, and more training, put them there and raise their confidence and that’s it because they have done it.
    “‘If we don’t score goals in thirty shots, we have to do fifty or sixty to try to score, it’s the only thing.
    “I cannot imagine a game that you have more dominance, more touches in the box, less situations of the opponents against a really good West Ham side, but today wasn’t enough to win the game.”
    Arsenal have been linked extensively with the £100million Brentford striker Ivan Toney – who is set to return from his betting ban in January. More

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    Mikel Arteta’s unsuccessful tactic notes revealed as Arsenal boss holds up instructions to attack West Ham’s ‘hotzone’

    EAGLE-EYED fans spotted Mikel Arteta’s unsuccessful tactic as his notes were pictured during Arsenal’s shock 2-0 defeat to West Ham.The main focus of the Spaniard’s masterplan appears to be to attack West Ham’s so-called “hotzone”.
    Arteta’s notes revealed his tactical tweaksCredit: Getty
    The notes revealed a plan to attack West Ham’s ‘hot zone’Credit: Getty
    However, for all the Gunners tried, none of their 30 shots hit the back of the next against David Moyes’ side.
    Arteta chucked the kitchen sink at West Ham in the second half after Konstantinos Mavropanos’ header made it 2-0 and made a number of attacking changes.
    Eddie Nketiah, Reece Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe were all thrown on but failed to make a difference.
    Bukayo Saka went closest for the Gunners when he hit the post in the second half.
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    A zoomed in picture of the note showed that Arteta scribbled down a note telling his players to overload the West Ham box in the first half.
    The note also revealed tweaks to Arsenal’s 4-3-3 system depending on game state.
    After the match, Arteta admitted that his front three of Saka, Martinelli and Jesus were not effective enough.
    He said: “West Ham won the game but I think we deserved much more.
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    Credit: The Sun
    Konstantinos Mavropanos came back to haunt his former clubCredit: Reuters
    “We tried, and tried and tried but the difference was maybe in the boxes. You have to make the difference in the boxes.”
    He was also aggrieved by West Ham’s first goal, which saw the ball cross the line before Jarrod Bowen pulled the ball back for Thomas Soucek to finish.
    He said after the game that VAR technology is not up to the required standards: “If the technology we have at the moment is not good enough to give us that answer (of whether the ball went out), what we have to do is, without that, win the game.
    “I haven’t seen it. They’re saying it’s not conclusive. It’s a shame that with the technology we have, it’s not that clear so we can say whether it’s out or in. 
    “It’s done. It’s gone. There’s nothing we can do about it now.” More

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    David Moyes set to sign new West Ham deal as board move to end contract speculation after stunning Arsenal win

    DAVID MOYES is set to sign a new West Ham contract after taking the Hammers into the top six.The Scot, 60, delivered West Ham’s first trophy in 43 years winning the Europa Conference League in June but has been under huge pressure at times over the past 12 months.
    David Moyes is set to secure a new West Ham contractCredit: Getty
    West Ham clinched a famous win over Arsenal on Thursday eveningCredit: AFP
    Moyes’ current deal expires at the end of the season and, while all sides have been relaxed about the situation, he is set to agree a new two-and-a-half year contract and put any speculation to bed.
    Having flirted with relegation at times last season, the board at the London Stadium came close to sacking the former Manchester United boss on more than one occasion but stuck by him and have been rewarded.
    The veteran manager could well have left the club had he not won the Conference League title in Prague.
    Fans have criticised Moyes’ pragmatic playing style at times this season, but his record with the club cannot be argued with.
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    The ex-Everton manager returned to the club four years ago this week to get the out of relegation trouble and has since taken them into Europe for three straight seasons.
    And the Hammers capped their calendar year with an impressive 2-0 win over title challengers Arsenal, following last weekend’s victory against Manchester United.
    West Ham’s tally of 33 points is the most the East Londoners have ever managed at the halfway point of a Premier League season.
    And the Hammers’ top three Premier League points hauls after 19 games in a season have all come under Moyes.
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    Asked about his contract following the win at the Emirates, Moyes said: “There’s plenty of time to talk about that. We’re not in any great rush. We can get that done when we’re ready. I’m enjoying my time.
    “When we came back here, we came back to make sure West Ham didn’t get relegated.
    “That was four years ago now. Since then, we’ve grown and I think the team are growing and getting better.
    “We won’t be challenging all the top teams all the time because we’re not dining at that table but we’re coming now and again to these teams and giving them a game.”
    He then went on to add: “I’m really happy with the environment I’m working in here.
    “I’ve got a great team of players we have built over the four years and had some success and we’ll see if we can keep it going.
    “I’m sure the contract will be sorted in due course. We’ll find how things go.”
    The Hammers boss recently raised concerns over how players in his squad would cope with the uncertainty over his future, while a lack of clarity over who would be in charge at the London Stadium could have impacted business in the January window as well as next summer. More

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    Arsenal player ratings: Martin Odegaard acts as Gunners’ beating heart but Trossard lucky not to be hauled off earlier

    ARSENAL missed the chance to return to the top of the Premier League thanks to a shock loss to West Ham.Last season’s Prem runners-up suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to David Moyes’ high-flying Hammers on a wet and dismal Thursday night at the Emirates.
    Arsenal suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to West Ham at the EmiratesCredit: REX
    Ex-Gunner Kostas Mavropanos doubled West Ham’s lead in the 55th minuteCredit: REUTERS
    A frustrated Mikel Arteta gesticulates on the sidelinesCredit: GETTY
    A controversial first-half goal from Tomas Soucek and an imperious second-half header from former Gunner Kostas Mavropanos condemned the hosts to their defeat of the season.
    The North Londoners huffed and puffed to try and get back on level terms but spurned chance and after chance.
    Here, SunSport’s Jordan Davies rates and slates the displays of Mikel Arteta’s troops.
    David Raya – 7/10
    Not a lot he could have done for either goal. Good with his feet. Did not have too much else to do other than pick balls out of his own net before saving a late Benrahma penalty.
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    Oleksandr Zinchenko – 5
    Another nervy performance. A few nice touches on the ball but also some dodgy ones.
    For some reason was tasked with marking Mavropanos at a corner only to lose hold of him as West Ham made it 2-0. Victim of some jeers from the home end.
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    Oleksandr Zinchenko turned in a nervy displayCredit: GETTY
    William Saliba – 7
    Arguably should have closed down Emerson’s cross with more aggression before Soucek’s goal, but as calm and domineering with and without the ball as usual.
    Gabriel – 6
    It was his fluffed clearance in the box onto an unsuspecting Zinchenko that led to West Ham’s opener and was beaten to a header as Mavropanos doubled the visitors’ lead.
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    Ben White – 6
    Flicked header from a well-worked set-piece was nodded wide. Did not do enough in attack to disrupt West Ham’s stubborn defensive line.
    Almost let in Benrahma late on but for a good recovery block.
    Declan Rice – 6
    At his sweeping, hoovering-up-of-mess best for large parts as he drove his team forward, going close with a long range shot just after the break.
    Could only stand and watch at times at the lack of conviction from his teammates. Only blemish was slipping and giving away an injury-time penalty.
    Skipper Martin Odegaard was Arsenal’s best player of the nightCredit: ALAMY
    Martin Odegaard – 7
    On it from the off. Incredible piece of trickery to put Saka in for an early pop at goal and again when he hit the post. Arsenal’s beating heart as they searched for a leveller.
    However, guilty at times of overplaying when a shot was the better option, much like most of his teammates in fairness.
    Leandro Trossard – 5
    Handful of corners hit the first defender to the frustration of the home fans. Looked lost as he floated into the middle of the pitch up against Mavropanos and Ogbonna.
    Was lucky not to be subbed off sooner than the 79th minute.
    Bukayo Saka – 6
    Marked out of the game well by West Ham down the right. Had a header from six yards well saved by Areola then smacked the post from a lovely Odegaard feed
    Bukayo Saka was marshalled well by West HamCredit: ALAMY
    Gabriel Martinelli – 6
    Barely in the game in the first 45 minutes, finding it tough to carve out any space for himself before blazing wide inside the box with a great chance. Rightly subbed off.
    Gabriel Jesus – 6
    Dropped deep to try and influence out of West Ham’s low block and his cute dink for Saka almost brought the equaliser, as did his dummy for Martinelli.
    With Arsenal getting desperate in the second half, missed two clear-headed chances inside the box.
    Subs
    Reiss Nelson (Zinchenko 65) – 6
    Showed glimmers of energy but not enough to force an opening.
    Eddie Nketiah (Martinelli 65) – 6
    Played out wide to accommodate Jesus. Hardly had a sniff.
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    Emile Smith Rowe (Trossard 79) – 6
    Almost got on the end of a pinged cross at the far post seconds after coming on. More

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    Glam TV star Maya Jama gets excited in stands and waves scarf above her head as she cheers West Ham to Man Utd triumph

    LOVE ISLAND host and West Ham superfan Maya Jama attended her favourite team’s big 2-0 win over Manchester United at the London Stadium.Maya watched from the stands as former contestant Dani Dyer’s boyfriend Jarrod Bowen broke the deadlock with a late opener on 72 minutes.

    Maya Jama cheered West Ham to victory against Manchester UnitedCredit: Dan Weir / MatchDay Images Limited
    Maya watched from the stands as West Ham defeated Manchester UnitedCredit: Dan Weir / MatchDay Images Limited
    Mohammed Kudus sealed the three points for the East Londoners just six minutes later.
    The 29-year-old was on her feet as she cheered David Moyes’ men to victory.
    Maya waived her West Ham scarf as she was joined by her friend and TV assistant producer Victoria Buzzington.
    The TV personality donned a black bodysuit and leather trousers, which she combined with a brown coat.
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    The Bristol native also issued a short celebratory message to the fans after full-time.
    The clip was then shared by West Ham’s official Twitter account with the following caption: “Hammers, you’ve got a text from @MayaJama.”
    Maya said: “West Ham fans, what a game today, absolutely chef’s kiss.
    “I can’t wait to come back again, come on you Irons.”
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    Maya is a famous West Ham fan and has shown her support throughout her social media channels.
    Last year she saw the Hammers win the Europa Conference League by beating Fiorentina 2-1 in the final.
    This season Moyes’ men are pushing for some more European success after making it to the Last 16 of the Europa League.
    More from Maya Jama
    Maya is the host of Love IslandCredit: @ mayajama
    Maya is a massive West Ham fanCredit: instagram
    Maya attends a series of glam eventsCredit: Getty
    Maya is one of the biggest TV starsCredit: Getty
    Maya has gained immense popularityCredit: Getty More

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    Paul Scholes slams Man Utd’s misfiring squad as club icon points out area that’s ‘seriously lacking’ after West Ham loss

    PAUL SCHOLES has slammed Manchester United’s misfiring squad after their 2-0 loss to West Ham.The Red Devils struggled to create any chances before West Ham opened the scoring in the 72nd minute through Jarrod Bowen.
    Scholes was unimpressed with Manchester United’s performance against West HamCredit: Rex
    Their fate was sealed in the 78th minute after a mistake by Kobbie Mainoo was seized upon by Lucas Paqueta.
    His pass played through Mohammed Kudus who made no mistake in making it 2-0 to West Ham and pile the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.
    United legend Scholes pinpointed United’s blunt attack as the reason that United are struggling of late.
    He told TNT Sports after the game: “United have got problems. Goalscoring is a big issue. Four games without a goal or creating anything really.
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    “You usually go through seasons where one or two of your forwards are maybe struggling with a bit of confidence and they can’t score goals, but it’s every single one of them.
    “They’ve got no goal threat from anywhere. McTominay is leading scorer with six goals and he is a midfielder. The forwards have got to step up, find a bit of confidence from somewhere and bring some threat to the team. There is no threat to the team.
    “Goal scoring is a real problem, they’ve got to solve that somehow.
    “It’s disappointing. They’ve spent a lot of money on players you’re expecting more from.”
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    Among United’s misfiring attackers are the £80million Antony, who looked of little use today and the £73m Jadon Sancho – who has been exiled by Erik ten Hag since September.
    Scholes continued: “The attacking players have to step up, bring some confidence and bring some threat to the team.
    “Rashford was brilliant last season and now he can’t find the form or the net!
    “The easiest thing to coach is defending but the hardest thing as a coach is to get your team to score goals.
    “In the past that quality has been there but now it is seriously lacking.”
    Up next for United is a tricky fixture at home to second in the table Aston Villa on boxing day.
    Ten Hag is facing massive pressure to get a result in the fixture with his job coming under increasing scrutiny week to week. More