Julen Lopetegui handed one-match touchline ban as West Ham suffer blow ahead of Arsenal match

Evening Standard

·26 de noviembre de 2024

Julen Lopetegui handed one-match touchline ban as West Ham suffer blow ahead of Arsenal match

Lopetegui hit with suspension after picking up third yellow card of the season

Julen Lopetegui will not be on the touchline for West Ham’s match at home to Arsenal this weekend.

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The Hammers boss has been under big pressure just a few months into his reign, with recent reports suggesting that he had only a couple of matches to save his job.

Lopetegui’s position has been strengthened, though, after his side produced arguably their best performance of the season to beat Newcastle 2-0 away from home and move up to 14th in the Premier League table.

However, Lopetegui was shown a yellow card after 20 minutes at St James’ Park after he protested a decision, and that has proved to be a costly moment.

That was the Spaniard’s third booking of the season and he will therefore now serve a one-match touchline ban when Arsenal visit the London Stadium on Saturday.

Asked about the suspension after the win over Newcastle, Lopetegui said: “I am not happy, but more importantly is the players will be on the pitch.

“A win is always important. It shows we can compete and trust in ourselves.”

This was the second match in a row in which Lopetegui had been shown a yellow card, after he was booked late in the goalless draw with Everton before the international break.

The West Ham boss was also cautioned in the 5-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup earlier in the season.

Lucas Paqueta is one yellow card away from picking up a suspension, having already received four bookings this season. Carlos Soler, Emerson, Guido Rodriguez, Max Kilman and Tomas Soucek all have three to their name.