MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 02:45:14| >> :120:15873:15873:
[monks data]
Attendance: 10,495
Bournemouth logo
Premier League | Gameweek 23
Jan 19, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
West Ham logo

2-0

Wilson (53'), King (90')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Arnautovic wasn't mentally ready to play, says Hammers boss Pellegrini

Arnautovic wasn't mentally ready to play, says Hammers boss Pellegrini
© Reuters
Arnautovic is keen on a big-money move to the Chinese Super League.

Manuel Pellegrini claimed Marko Arnautovic "has his head on another issue" after the player was left out of West Ham's squad for the 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth.

Austria international Arnautovic, the club's joint leading scorer with eight goals, is keen on a big-money move to China, with Shanghai SIPG having already had a £35million offer rejected.

Hammers boss Pellegrini said on Thursday that the 29-year-old would be allowed to depart, subject to a "good deal for both parties" being agreed.

Marko Arnautovic was not in the West Ham squad for the defeat to Bournemouth (Yui Mok/PA).
Marko Arnautovic was not in the West Ham squad for the defeat to Bournemouth (Yui Mok/PA).

Second-half goals from Callum Wilson and Joshua King condemned the Hammers to defeat at the Vitality Stadium after Arnautovic's replacement, Andy Carroll, squandered a golden chance with the game goalless.

"The reason is because as a manager you must choose the players that work better during the week," said Pellegrini, explaining his team selection.

"Marko has his head on another issue so I thought it was not a good idea for him to play today.

"I don't think we need to continue talking about players that are not in the squad in this moment.

"I never complain about players who are not here.

"We couldn't win and, if Marko Arnautovic didn't play, we have another player that must do it."

Spanish striker Lucas Perez was also left out the Hammers' 18-man squad.

Asked about that decision, Pellegrini replied: "Same as Marko Arnautovic – I choose the 18 players I think are better during the week."

Arnautovic waved to home fans when he was substituted during last weekend's win over Arsenal.

Andy Carroll was guilty of a glaring miss on his return to the West Ham team (Mark Kerton/PA).
Andy Carroll was guilty of a glaring miss on his return to the West Ham team (Mark Kerton/PA).

His absence was the major talking point ahead of Saturday's south-coast clash and resulted in the Hammers' only change, with Carroll given just a second league start of the season.

He failed to take the opportunity, blazing his side's best chance over the crossbar from a couple of yards with the goal gaping after Michail Antonio made a mess of the initial effort.

"When we started the second half, we had a clear option to score the first goal, maybe that will change the game, absolutely," said Pellegrini of Carroll's effort.

"Unfortunately for Andy and for Antonio before that they couldn't score, but it's just part of the game."

Victory for Bournemouth was just their third from 13 top-flight games and ended a five-match winless run in all competitions.

Like Arnautovic, Cherries top scorer Wilson, who returned from a two-match injury absence, has been linked with a January transfer.

Wilson, the subject of speculation linking him with a move to Chelsea or to the London Stadium as a possible replacement for Arnautovic, underlined his value to Eddie Howe's side by powering home his 10th league goal of the season from the edge of the box early in the second period.

King tapped in David Brooks' stoppage-time centre to seal the welcome win.

Callum Wilson will not let the speculation over his future distract him, according to Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe (Mark Kerton/PA).
Callum Wilson will not let the speculation over his future distract him, according to Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe (Mark Kerton/PA).

Wilson was substituted due to injury 17 minutes from time and manager Howe said it was not a recurrence of his recent hamstring niggle.

"I think it's a problem with his knee, I've got no more detail that that," said Howe.

Speaking about rumours of Wilson leaving, Howe added: "I've not seen any reaction to the speculation, it is what is.

"I think Callum's been in the game long enough to know there's nothing you can do about it.

"He's just got to concentrate on his football and he's very much a team player – a vital part of what we do here.

"And he knew how important the game was for us as a group and he delivered a very good display."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Ed Elliot, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'b4e6d90c-e422-43df-b4fc-a0da3cb67088');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:match-reports,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Arnautovic wasn\u2019t mentally ready to play, says Hammers boss Pellegrini'});

ID:347326: cacheID:347326:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:12074:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring against Brighton & Hove Albion on January 12, 2019.
Read Next:
PL Team of the Week - Salah, Pogba, De Gea
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!