Lopetegui’s sacking may be due to absence of star player against Arsenal.he was absent
Jarrod Bowen’s muted performance in West Ham’s dismal 5-2 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday may have sealed the fate of Julen Lopetegui as the club’s manager. In a match where the Hammers were thoroughly outclassed on their own turf, Bowen, usually a bright spark in attack, failed to deliver when his team needed him most.
The clash against Mikel Arteta’s men on 30 November was nothing short of a humiliation for West Ham. A porous defense and a lackluster attack left fans questioning whether Lopetegui’s tactics are capable of turning the tide. Now sitting 14th in the Premier League, the team’s aspirations for European football next season seem increasingly out of reach. With each passing week, the gap widens, and frustration among the fanbase grows.
The root of the Hammers’ woes against Arsenal can be attributed to several factors, but one glaring issue was the lack of attacking threat from Bowen. While he worked hard and showed flashes of his usual dynamism, his influence in the final third was negligible. This inefficiency only highlighted the growing dependency West Ham have on their star forward to carry them through difficult matches.
Pundit Andy Reid, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, summed up Bowen’s subdued outing, stating: “We have not mentioned Jarrod Bowen too much. He’s really effective and been brilliant for West Ham. It is probably credit to Arsenal that we’ve not mentioned Bowen.” While Reid acknowledged Bowen’s overall quality, his inability to break free from Arsenal’s defensive stranglehold underscored the Hammers’ current predicament.
A Season of Underperformance
Bowen has been one of the few shining lights in an otherwise dismal campaign for West Ham. Yet, as Saturday’s performance showed, when Bowen isn’t firing, the team struggles to make any impact. The rest of the squad has underperformed across all areas this season, leaving fans feeling short-changed, especially considering the significant investment made in the summer transfer window.
Sitting precariously in 14th place, the Hammers have failed to display any consistent form that suggests they can climb the table. While it’s unrealistic to expect victories against every opponent, there has been a glaring lack of resilience and creativity, even against more modest opposition. For a team that has invested heavily in improving its roster, the results simply haven’t matched expectations.
Bowen’s Crucial Role
Bowen has been central to whatever limited success West Ham have achieved this season. His ability to find the net and create chances has often been the difference between picking up points and walking away empty-handed. However, matches like the one against Arsenal reveal the dangerous over-reliance on one player. If Bowen has an off day, the entire team seems to falter.
For Lopetegui, this dependency on Bowen is a double-edged sword. On one hand, Bowen’s brilliance can save the manager from criticism, but on the other, his rare poor performances only magnify the systemic issues within the team. If Bowen can’t rediscover his clinical edge, it could spell disaster for Lopetegui, whose tenure already hangs by a thread.
Lopetegui’s Last Chance?
The Spaniard’s position now looks increasingly untenable. West Ham fans have been vocal about their dissatisfaction, and the discontent is beginning to reflect in matchday attendances. The defeat to Arsenal was a stark reminder that the club is far from competing with the league’s elite, and even a mid-table finish feels uncertain at this point.
Unless there is a dramatic turnaround in form, Lopetegui may not see out the season. Bowen, while a pivotal figure, cannot shoulder the burden alone. The entire squad needs to step up if they are to salvage something from this campaign. However, time is running out, and if the results don’t improve soon, Lopetegui’s departure may be inevitable.
