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Why Ben Johnson was absent for West Ham vs Arsenal


 

West Ham United boss David Moyes has provided an explanation for the absence of defender Ben Johnson from the club's matchday squad to face Arsenal on Sunday.

The Hammers were back in action a short time ago, welcoming Mikel Arteta's Gunners to the London Stadium for a Premier League derby clash.

When all was said and done, though, the evening's hosts were put to the sword by two goals to one, owing to headers on the part of Arsenal pair Rob Holding and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Speaking on the back of the full-time whistle at the London Stadium, David Moyes was therefore unsurprisingly drawn on his latest team selection, after the Scottish tactician opted for a number of changes ahead of a return to Europe in midweek.

And one such change, Moyes went on to reveal, proved an enforced one.

This came in the form of Vladimir Coufal being introduced in place of Ben Johnson, who missed out versus Arsenal owing to a thigh strain:

Eintracht showdown

Johnson, in turn, could well be forced to sit out once more this week, when West Ham turn their attentions back towards matters on the continent.

On the back of a 2-1 first-leg defeat in London, the Irons are set to make the trip to Germany, hopeful of turning things around to book a historic spot in the finale of the Europa League, at the expense of Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt.

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Conor Laird

Conor Laird

Die-hard Juventus fan with a love for all things Italian, and a real soft spot for Arsenal cult heroes. Emmanuel Eboue, Nicklas Bendtner, Philippe Senderos... Give them all statues outside the Emirates.


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