WATCHINGthisweek’s Champions League semi-finals was the golden ticket for fans.
And four players appeared to agree.
Keen-eyed viewers would have been surprised to see thequartet in the stands as in the French capital – a day after Inter Milan completed a 7-6 aggregate triumph over Barcelona.
Managers often blame testing midweek trips to Europe for poor displays just days later.
But amid a tough domestic season for the Hammers, their players knew the pressurewas off them – and all on the Gunners – who trailed 1-0 for Wednesday’s .
Two of the London Stadium stars were former England men in left-back, 35, and 32-year-old striker .
They were joined by ex-Wolves centre-back , 27.
And third-choice stopperWes Foderingham, 34, who has yet to play a senior game since arriving at West Ham last June, was there too.
But for most of the season, Europe has been the furthest thing from the Hammers’ minds.
Clubchiefs in January after half a season in the lower reaches of the Prem.
And successor has hardly fared better.
With three Prem games left,West Ham are fourth bottom, albeit safe from the drop.
That’sonly because promoted trio Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton have long been guaranteed to go straight back down.
The Hammers’ foursome could afford to wear big grins atParc des Princes as they saw the Gunners take the strain.
They wondered to their seats, seemingly unrecognised by those around them.
And one possible answer to why they came featured dramatically in just the third minute.
West Ham legend – Arsenal’s record £105million signing in 2023 – headed a gaping chance high to level the tie at 1-1.
PSG stopper then produced two stunning saves.
Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi then fired home to put PSG 2-0 up on the night, 3-0 on aggregate.
And Bukayo Saka’s bundled reply on 76 minutesproved in vain.
But although it was a contrasting night for the four Hammers and the Arsenal team they were watching, both groups of players will have to get over it in time for massive Prem matches on Sunday.
West Ham visit , while the second-placedGunners travel to new champions .
