West Ham try to ‘cover up’ AFC Wimbledon loss with Arnautovic contract extension announcement

WEST HAM have announced Marko Arnautovic has signed a new contract - less than an hour after being hammered 4-2 by League One minnows AFC Wimbledon.

The Austrian striker had his heart set on a mega-money switch to China, but the deal fell through at the last minute.

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He has now penned fresh terms at the London Stadium, but fans hit back at the club for trying to "cover up" their FA Cup humiliation.

It is believed that Arnautovic has extended his stay at the club until 2023.

While it is also understood that he will now become West Ham's top earner having been left upset that Felipe Anderson, Javier Hernandez and Andriy Yarmolenko were on higher wages.

Speaking to the , he said: "I’m happy for this and I want to say to the fans that I’m happy to stay, I'm glad to play again, show myself and score goals, to make assists, but also to say that the major point is Marko Arnautovic never refused [to play or train]. I would never refuse.

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"I’m happy, I’m happy to come to this point. I’m happy that this club is improving. Step by step, every week, every month we are seeing some improvement and that’s good.”
While also adding: "The fans gave me the power, they gave me the energy and that’s why I have to be here and that’s why I want to stay. I never wanted to run away because I hate this club, this was never my intention.

“I love this club and I will always love this club no matter what. You have decisions you have to make in life, but I say from now it doesn’t matter what happens I will always love West Ham and it will always be a big part in my life.

"I love this happiness, so listen, I’m here, I’m ready. I hope the fans are also ready and we go again."

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But a number of West Ham supporters were livid by the timing of the announcement, as they hurled their anger at the club on social media.

One fan tweeted: "Imagine tweeting this just after losing 4-2 to Wimbledon. Tinpot.";

While another said: "Is this supposed to make us feel better?"

Another simply stated: "This club is a joke."

Arnautovic - absent from the clash against the Dons - has chipped in with eight goals and two assists in 18 games this campaign.