West Ham may have suffered a big injury blow after Lucas Paqueta was taken off in the first half against Arsenal on Thursday (28 December) in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium.
Paqueta was seen struggling during the warm-ups and doubts surfaced about whether he could take part in the game. However, the Brazilian started the game, but he couldn’t continue for more than half an hour and was replaced by Said Benrahma.
TV coverage showed that Paqueta’s left leg was strapped with ice, as he sat on the bench after his substitution through injury.
Lucas Paqueta’s left leg strapped with ice. #WHUFC pic.twitter.com/SsUpt7Dpju
— Roshane Thomas (@RoshaneSport) December 28, 2023
Blow
The Hammers are leading by 1-0 at half time, with Tomas Soucek scoring the goal. It felt like the ball went out of play but after a long VAR check, it was confirmed that there was no conclusive evidence to overrule the decision.
Jarrod Bowen did very well to keep the ball in play after a mix-up between Gabriel and Oleksandr Zinchenko. The ball fell into the path of Tomas Soucek and from about six yards out he lashed it past David Raya.
The Gunners did create one or two good chances but the Hammers have been very solid at the back.
With the games coming thick and fast, West Ham fans will hope that Paqueta’s injury is not serious. He is a massive player for the club, and losing him for a long period will be a huge blow.
It looks like David Moyes has taken him off due to precaution, but he may have aggravated his hamstring as well.
