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Why Ben Johnson was absent for West Ham vs Arsenal

Published

3 years ago

7:20 pm

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.

It’s a day for the centre-backs! ?
Gabriel joins Holding on the scoresheet to put Arsenal back in front ☄️ pic.twitter.com/dsZv3aGNeT
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 1, 2022

Speaking on the back of the full-time whistle at the London Stadium, David Moyes were 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:

Moyes says Ben Johnson has a thigh strain. #WHUFC
— Roshane Thomas (@RoshaneSport) May 1, 2022

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.

Frankfurt re-take the lead and it’s a beautiful team move that produced the goal ?
Daichi Kamada taps in the rebound after a great save from Areola in the West Ham goal.#UEL pic.twitter.com/m78WCnI92p
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 28, 2022