Marko Arnautovic Hits Back at Critics Over West Ham Form Amid January Sale Rumours

Marko Arnautovic has hit back at his critics as the maligned West Ham man insisted he "would not be sold" in the January window.

The £25m summer arrival from Stoke City has struggled to replicate his best form since his switch to the London stadium, and Arnautovic has come under flak from Hammers fans and Sky Sports punditry duo Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.

Speaking in quotes published by the Sun though, Arnautovic fired back at Neville and co. for the manner with which they had picked apart his performances on the pitch, and stated that West Ham supporters could count on him to help them climb the Premier League table.

Ian MacNicol/GettyImages

He said: “I respect what Gary Neville achieved as a player. He was brilliant at Manchester United and hats off to him.

“But what did he do as a coach at Valencia? His job is to criticise, that is 90 per cent of his job.

“I am not saying Gary Neville is a nobody. He has accomplished a lot in his life, he is a legend. But as a coach? Let him stay on the TV.

“Most of them (online critics) have no work, probably no life and no idea. I respect the real fans and I understand them. They were all happy to have me come to West Ham because I had done very well at Stoke.

“But the fans only see what happens in the stadium, they do not see what you do at training and in private.

“I know how strong I am mentally, how I work on myself. I have lost nothing and I’m not in crisis. West Ham can count on me 100 per cent.”

ADRIAN DENNIS/GettyImages

Rumours last weekend suggested that new West Ham boss David Moyes could sell the Croatia international in the winter window to free up funds to recruit new players.

Arnautovic has made nine appearances for the Irons since his July move, but has only managed to notch two assists in those games for his new club.

The 28-year-old was also sent off in just his second match for West Ham in the 3-2 loss to Southampton - a dismissal after 33 minutes which did little to help get fans onside.