West Ham United’s right-back, Vladimír Coufal, expressed his disappointment and embarrassment after the team’s heavy defeat against Arsenal. In an interview with the club’s television channel, Coufal apologized to the fans for the poor performance.
„I have never experienced such a high defeat, and I hope I never will again,“ Coufal said. „It is embarrassing for me and the whole team when we see Arsenal players passing the ball around and their fans applauding. It is embarrassing for us, our fans, and West Ham as a whole,“ he added.
The 6-0 loss was the highest defeat West Ham has ever suffered at their stadium. The team had only lost by such a margin at home in the league once before, in December 1963 against Blackburn (2-8).
„We can only apologize to the fans and thank those who stayed until the end. I understand those who left early because I would have done the same,“ admitted the Czech international.
Despite the devastating result, Coufal thanked the supporters after the final whistle. „I appreciate our fans, and I hope we have mutual respect. I felt the need to thank them. There should be mutual respect between us. I try to thank the fans after every game,“ explained the former Liberec and Slavia Prague player, who joined West Ham in the autumn of 2020.
„It is not easy to face them after such a defeat. It is difficult to keep your head up and look them in the eye because they are rightfully disappointed. I completely understand that. Hopefully, we will move forward and rectify it in the next match,“ promised Coufal.
In their upcoming match, West Ham will face Nottingham Forest away from home. The Czech defender will try to motivate his teammates.
„Everyone feels guilty. We need to start preparing for the next game. I am confident that everyone will work hard and be determined to make amends and show the fans that we are not like that. I ask the fans to continue supporting us. Tomorrow is a new day, and we have to move on. Hopefully, everyone will have their heads held high. If not, I will be the first one trying to make them think positively,“ Coufal emphasized.
This defeat marked West Ham’s fifth consecutive game without a win. In their last two matches, they suffered a 0-9 aggregate defeat, losing 0-3 to Manchester United and dropping to eighth place in the Premier League.
