West Ham United manager Rita Guarino has provided a positive early update after defender Eva Nystrom was stretchered off during the defeat against Arsenal.
The defender required lengthy treatment on the pitch after being injured while making a last-ditch challenge on Arsenal striker Stina Blackstenius. She was eventually taken off on a stretcher and replaced by Shelina Zadorsky, who was returning after a long spell out injured.
Guarino offers encouraging update
Despite the worrying scenes, Guarino suggested after the match that the injury may not be as serious as first feared, and also highlighted the importance of Zadorsky’s return to the side.
“Fortunately, her injury is better than we thought.
“It was important and an opportunity for Shelina to jump in the game. After many months away, it was very important for her to come back, and we’re very happy for her.”
West Ham went on to lose the match 5-0 against Arsenal, and Guarino admitted the result was disappointing, but explained that small mistakes against top teams can quickly become costly.
“Against this top team, against the champions of Europe, you can make little mistakes that can determine everything, because they are able to move in the small spaces.
“We needed to pay more attention to the details and be more aggressive on the ball.”
Midfielder Ylinn Tennebo also spoke after the match and admitted the performance was not good enough, but stressed the importance of moving on quickly with the season entering a crucial stage.
“We tried to stay compact like we did on Wednesday, but we got punished for our mistakes. It wasn’t good enough from us.
“We need to forget the result today and reset, because we need all the points we can get between now and the end of the season.”
While the heavy defeat will be disappointing, the biggest concern for West Ham will have been the injury to Nystrom, and the early signs suggest they may have avoided a more serious setback.
With the season approaching its final weeks, keeping key players available could be far more important than the result against one of the strongest sides in the division.
