Arnautovic an asset to West Ham’s attack and defence, insists Ogbonna

Angelo Ogbonna says Marko Arnautovic's pace and ability to hold onto the ball is helping the West Ham defence "breathe".

Arnautovic endured a tough start to life with the Hammers following his club-record move from Stoke in the summer, being sent off in just his second appearance of the season, struggling with illness and failing to register an assist or a goal in the Premier League in his first four months in east London.

Such were the forward's early troubles at West Ham that David Moyes revealed in November he had spoken with the Austrian to warn him that if he didn't create and score any goals or if he failed to "run for the team", he would not play.

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Indeed, Arnautovic was left on the bench for West Ham's trip to face leaders Manchester City in early December but responded by starting against champions Chelsea and scoring the match-winning goal at the London Stadium - his first goal for the club.

The 28-year-old then impressed up front alongside Michail Antonio with a man-of-the-match performance in the goalless draw at home to Arsenal on Wednesday.

And Ogbonna admits that Arnautovic's pace but, crucially, his ability to not concede possession higher up the pitch is allowing West Ham's new five-man defence to "breathe" easier during games.

Speaking to Standard Sport, the Italian centre-back said: "I knew him [Arnautovic] before and it's good for us if our strikers or the forwards can run like Marko or like Antonio.

"They can keep the ball and let us breathe."