West Ham United: Star trio miss training as footage emerges from Rush Green this week
West Ham fans may start to panic as it appears Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqeuta and James Ward-Prowse all appeared to be absent from training at Rush Green this week.
The three key players were all missing from the club’s “Inside Rush Green” YouTube video ahead of their clash against Arsenal, causing concern among fans about the reasons for their absence.
So far their absence from the footage has been unexplained, but a triple injury blow would be devastating to the Hammers, particularly given the importance of all three players.
David Moyes’ side are currently on a four-game streak without a win, coming off the back of a 3-0 defeat to Manchester United and a visit from Mikel Arteta’s side on 11 February does not bode well.
The trio of Bowen, Ward-Prowse and Paqueta have picked up a combined 18 goals and 13 assists for the Hammers this season, and if they are not involved on Sunday, it will come as a huge knock to their chances of taking all three points.
The Standard reported on 5 February that Moyes was hopeful Paqueta could return to his side in a fortnight – with his injured spell coming to an end after the clash with Arsenal – so his absence does not come as a shock.
Bowen, however, had suffered an ankle injury during the most recent international break which saw him miss the FA Cup defeat to Bristol City, although he returned to action shortly after and has featured in three games since.
Another blow to the Hammers’ most important forward player would come as even worse news, given Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals’ departures during the transfer window which have left Moyes short of options.
David Moyes will want positive West Ham United news
Ward-Prowse’s absence also came as a surprise. The midfielder has started all 22 of West Ham’s Premier League games so far this season, so if he is not involved against Arsenal he will be sorely missed in the midfield.
Until their absences, and the reasons for them, are explained by either Moyes or the club, there is no need to panic. However, that footage will certainly set alarm bells ringing.
