Manuel Lanzini: I want to see this Club go far in the FA Cup

Every West Ham United supporter has a favourite Manuel Lanzini memory – or ten!

And La Joya himself is hoping to add to his glittering array of Irons anecdotes by helping steer his 'second home' to a Cup final this season, be that in the UEFA Europa League or, more pertinently this week, the Emirates FA Cup.

The Hammers head to St Mary’s Stadium on Wednesday evening to take on a Southampton side who have suffered just one home defeat in all competitions this season, against Wolverhampton Wanderers in late September.

Lanzini and the Irons’ most recent victory, of course, was in their equivalent fixture on Sunday – a 1-0 win over Wolves courtesy of Tomáš Souček’s second-half strike, and the No10 is hoping to replicate that performance and result and carry his team into the FA Cup quarter-finals.

“On Sunday, it was a really tough game,” Lanzini told West Ham TV. “They played really well, but I think we did what we need to do to win. 

“We played very well and we won three points, which was very important for us. 

“Now, we’re thinking about the next game in the FA Cup. We’re going to try to win to stay in this competition, because it’s important for us.

Seven years is a long time and it’s like my second home here. I want to try to win something or get to the final of a competition

Manuel Lanzini

Lanzini, who returned to manager David Moyes’ starting XI for that game after a one-match absence, recognises that the in-form Saints, who have lost just once in their last 12 games in all competitions, will not present an easy path into the FA Cup sixth round.

But the Argentinean also reiterated that the Hammers have shown their quality and character time and again this season – and hopes to cap his seventh season in Claret and Blue by lifting FA Cup silverware.

Lanzini noted: “Every game is tough, but we know we need to play, we need to focus on our football, and if we can focus on our football, we can achieve the win.

“Seven years is a long time and it’s like my second home here. I want to try to win something or try to get to the final of a competition. 

“It’s that important for us, for the Club and also for the fans.”

Check out our All You Need To Know guide to Wednesday's tie by clicking here.