Marko Arnautovic believes the atmosphere in the London Stadium for West Ham’s 1-1 draw with Leicester on Friday was the best he has ever experienced.
The Austrian international has struggled to find some consistent form since his club-record £25 million move from Stoke during the summer, but there have been encouraging signs of improvement under new manager David Moyes.
Arnautovic was West Ham’s most effective player until a knee problem led to his substitution late in the second half against Leicester, but the 28-year-old forward should be fit for Wednesday night’s Premier League match at Everton.
There had been fears that sections of the West Ham crowd could have demonstrated their disapproval during the match but the opposite happened in the second half.
Arnautovic has played in crucial World Cup qualifiers for his country but said: “I have never heard a louder stadium than this. It was like, wow. I couldn’t even hear my own voice when I tried to speak to Pablo Zabaleta. The fans saw that we were playing good and that we wanted to win and give everything and they got behind us. Every player would like to play in front of that crowd.”
Arnautovic has had a disappointing start but he said: “When I came here an early red card meant I was three games out. Then I came back for the 0-0 against Swansea and I had the flu, so it all dropped me back again.
“I always look to train hard and come back strong, and now I am nearly there. I want to show the club and the fans what I can do.”
Michail Antonio could return against Everton, but striker Javier Hernandez and defender James Collins remain doubts.
