Hammers Need Arnautovic – Wilshere

Jack Wilshere says West Ham United need Marko Arnautovic because the forward is “so important” to the club.

Austria international Arnautovic has been the subject of interest from the Chinese Super League this month and his agent has revealed the forward is keen to move on from the London Stadium for a different challenge.

Related: Doucoure Stirs Up January Transfer Talk

Michail Antonio also revealed on ‘Goals On Sunday’ that his team-mate wants to leave the club although a replacement must be brought in before the January transfer window shuts.

However, injured midfielder Wilshere, who arrived on a free in the summer from Arsenal, says he has been impressed by what he has seen from Arnautovic and says it is imperative he stays.

“In the short time I’ve been here, I’ve seen what type of character he is, he’s a great character, a great person to have around. He just wants to play; he was struggling with a knee injury and hardly training but he always said he wanted to play,” he told Sky Sports.

“We need him. For me he’s one of the best strikers in the Premier League. I’ve played with a few good strikers and he’s up there – with what he brings to the team he’s so important to us.”