The joy that has been the last 12 months is clear to see on Angelo Ogbonna’s face.
It has been an immense year for West Ham United. Impressive results both domestically and on the continent, the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy, 32 wins in all competitions across 2023. Some might even say it has been massive.
Ogbonna has been at West Ham over eight years now. The second-longest serving member of the team – behind only Aaron Cresswell – has seen the highest of highs and some deep lows too.
Through it all, Ogbonna’s affinity and love for the Club has grown, and those entrenched emotions have only enhanced a truly special 12 months at the Hammers.
“It’s been a fantastic 2023,” the Italian told West Ham TV. “I can’t stop saying it. I think, for the Club, it’s just been fantastic. There have been changes and there’s been love and hate, but we’re a family and we’ve tried to carry on and to achieve what we can achieve.
“It’s not easy, of course, we’ve had some changes. But I think everyone has grown on this journey. Winning the trophy in Prague too was so beautiful. We need to be proud of this year.”
Ogbonna was, much like the entire team, excellent in Thursday’s win at Arsenal.
It brings home just how long Ogbonna has been a servant of the Claret and Blue Army when you remember that it was in West Ham’s last Premier League win away against the Gunners – in August 2015 – that the defender made his league debut for the side.
Having signed for the east Londoners from Juventus that a month prior, Ogbonna put in a stellar showing that day too. It was a match that was on the 35-year-old’s mind as he featured in the starting XI in north London once again.
Crucial blocks and clearances were the order of the day from Ogbonna, ensuring a hard-fought clean-sheet on the road. Not that the defender wants to take any individual credit. He and the team did what they had to do to give the travelling supporters even more reason to be celebrating this festive period.
“I remember my Premier League debut,” he continued. “It was at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal, and we won 2-0. I was really reminded of that win going into the Arsenal game on Thursday and I really wanted the victory.
“These types of performances, this is what our fans want to see. These are our characteristics. They want us to fight for the shirt and fight for the Club until the end, and I think we did that against Arsenal.
“Everyone is so proud. It’s always so good to win a derby. To come to north London and try to get a result, it’s not easy. We respect them like every team we play, but we want to challenge the teams at the top.
“I don’t like to talk about myself. I want to talk about everyone and the whole team. Everyone did a good job – from the attackers, to the defenders, to our goalkeeper – the whole unit performed and did really well. I’m so proud.”
There are so many reasons for Hammers to be proud as the world enters 2024. Ever the perfectionist, Ogbonna wants to keep the good times rolling into the new year.
The experienced centre-back is, by his own admission, a dreamer. He wants the Claret and Blue Army to keep dreaming too.
“We do things step by step,” he added. “We try to fight for our place in the Premier League. We’ve been trying to find balance, because we’ve been in Europe too in the last few seasons, but we want to challenge in every competition we play and I think that is the most important thing.
“I know it’s hard, but that’s football. Football is about winning, about dreaming, and as a footballer I want to keep dreaming until the end.”
