Noble thrilled by Carroll return

Noble
West Ham United skipper Mark Noble is thrilled to see Andy Carroll back in the squad for the Arsenal game and feels he could be the difference in helping the Hammers move towards the top half of the table.

Carroll is set to make his first appearance since August after picking up a knee injury during the Europa League game against Astra Giurgiu in Romania.

The talented forward has been forced to wait patiently as he made his return to full fitness but he is now keen to get his season back on track and would love to get straight back among the goals.

Few could forget his memorable hat-trick against Arsenal last season and Noble knows the importance of seeing Carroll back in a claret and blue shirt.

Noble said: “We have missed Andy. He is massive for a club like West Ham. He is our number nine and we need him.

“He played the whole pre-season but then got injured playing in Romania. He is back now and hopefully he can start scoring goals again.

“I don't want to put too much pressure on him because there is being fit and then being match fit and it takes a few games to get that back but he will be a massive asset for us against Arsenal and a major part of our plans.

“We have had a number of injuries this season. Diafra Sakho came back last week and scored and then he got injured again which sums up the luck we are having this season.

“But we have got Andy fit again which is great and hopefully we can start picking up some points.”

 

We have missed Andy. He is massive for a club like West Ham. He is our number nine and we need him.

Mark Noble

 

The Hammers showed they are not afraid to compete against the big teams with an impressive display against Manchester United in the Premier League at Old Trafford last Sunday.

And Noble sees no reason why they cannot produce the same kind of display against Arsenal today and make it another night to remember under the lights at London Stadium.

Noble added: “There are only a couple of points which are separating a number of teams in the table but we need a result and it will be another big game against Arsenal on Saturday.

“It has been a funny season so far because we have had a couple of games where we winning and then let in late goals against Stoke and Tottenham. If we had won those two games we could be in the top half of the table now.

“That is the fine margins in this game. There is still a long way to go and we have got a lot of quality in the dressing room. I have said from day one that we will be okay but we have to earn the points.

“I have said that the Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea games are always big derbies for us and we really enjoy playing them.

“I have watched the Cup Final against Arsenal back in 1980 many times and it was a famous goal for West Ham fans. We would love to have the same winning feeling on Saturday!”