Monday 10 August 2015 13:49, UK
Slaven Bilic declared himself a “proud” man after West Ham started their Premier League season with a 2-0 win at Arsenal.
The Hammers ended a barren run against the Gunners with goals either side of half-time from Cheikhou Kouyate and Mauro Zarate.
It is the first time the Hammers have beaten their London rivals since 2007 and Bilic was delighted with the display, particularly in the second half.
“It’s a great start for us,” he told Sky Sports. “Not only because we got three points but we did so against a team who are one of the main contenders for the title and did really well in pre-season.
“It’s a London derby too and in the last five years we have lost every game against them home and away, which makes it even bigger. It would be big anyway but this makes it a bit special.
“I know we have a good team, but I wasn’t sure we were going to show that in the way we did, especially in the second half.
“I'm very proud of the second-half performance."
In his first league match in charge, Bilic sprang a surprise by naming 16-year-old Reece Oxford in his starting line-up.
The Hammers academy product was the seventh-youngest player to appear in the Premier League but produced an accomplished performance at the Emirates.
“It was a risk and it will be a risk because he is 16, but he has got something,” said Bilic.
“I played him because I thought for this kind of game I needed someone to sit in front of the back four, to be like a third centre-back, to be cool and who is good on the ball. I am very proud of him.
“He is 16 in his head and on paper but he is a part of this new generation. We all try to help him, I spoke to him, the players and staff did, I told him before (we played) Astra that whatever he does wrong is my fault - I am lucky he rarely does something wrong.”
While the win is the ideal start for the Hammers, Bilic acknowledges they can still improve next weekend at home to Leicester City.
“It’s just a great start, it’s not finished,” he said. “It would be very catastrophic if we think we can do it like big charlies, we have to work hard and play better than today.
“If next game we show something we showed in the first half we have no chance, but we have to work hard, that’s our job. If we do that, with a bit of luck and if we can stay away from injuries, I am optimistic.”
