Arnautovic criticises European media following China switch

Marko Arnautovic insists he always gives his all and criticised the European media for suggesting otherwise.

Arnautovic left West Ham on Monday, joining Chinese Super League champions Shanghai SIPG for a reported fee of £22million

The 30-year-old only signed a new five-year deal at London Stadium in January, with West Ham handing Arnautovic the bumper contract after he initially submitted a transfer request amid interest from a then unnamed Chinese side.

However, Arnautovic scored just twice following the saga, with his commitment at times called into question.

But on his presentation as an SIPG player, Arnautovic hit back, claiming the media’s portrayal of his attitude is inaccurate.

“They do not train with me, they do not play with me, but they just write something,” the former Werder Bremen and Stoke City forward said.

“Maybe that’s the characteristic of European media, the truth is that I always give everything to my team, I never spare myself.

“I’m here to work hard, I want to do my part so the club can achieve all of its goals.”

31 – Marko Arnautovic has been directly involved in 31 Premier League goals for West Ham (21 goals, 10 assists); 15 more than any other West Ham player since his debut for the club in August 2017. Bubbling. pic.twitter.com/pHsSdE17Ta

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 2, 2019

Arnautovic is joining former Chelsea playmaker Oscar at SIPG – who currently sit third in the Chinese Super League – while ex-Porto star Hulk is also at the club.

“I feel they are very good people who really want to help me integrate into the team, and I feel very welcome,” said Arnautovic, who will wear the number seven jersey previously taken by SIPG’s record goalscorer Wu Lei, now at Espanyol.

“Because of this meaning, I feel more pressure,” Arnautovic responded when asked if he would be able to fill the void left by SIPG’s former star winger.

“But I am ready for this challenge to make many goals and assists with this jersey and this number.”