The news that Marko Arnautovic is out for a month with his hamstring injury is certainly a blow to the Hammers. He's been playing with a niggling leg injury for some time and you do wonder whether he should have been rested for Tuesday's game. But the options for replacing Marko are looking a lot better than they did a few weeks ago. Lucas Perez confirmed that if he's given chances he'll finish with his brace against Cardiff. Arsenal fans say he wasn't given much of a chance by Wenger and although he sometimes looks ponderous outside the box he's scored four times from limited appearances so far.
The fact that Antonio scored his first league goal of the season is another boost, as he could be an effective makeshift striker. Particularly as he's confirmed in the Evening Standard that he finally feeling fully fit again. Antonio said: "It was not until the Man City game ten days ago that I really felt sharp, fresh and the 'old me' from two years ago. Up until then I had been trying to do the things I used to before, but just couldn't." If Antonio could get back to the form and speed of two years ago it would be like a major signing.
There's also good news in the fact that Hernandez has scored three goals recently. He won't make chances out of nothing like Arnautovic, but with service he'll score. While Andy Carroll is now on the bench, and although it will take him four or five games to get back to sharpness, he offers a massive aerial threat and would surely enjoy Snodgrass' whipped in crosses. Arnie is a special player and we'll miss him — but at least Pellegrini now has several options up front.
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