Nuno Espirito Santo didn't hold back as he took one last jab at Lucas Paqueta, saying West Ham finally has a squad that actually wants to fight for survival.

He didn’t just stop there. Nuno gave a nod to the new signings from the winter window, saying, “I’m totally convinced that we're going to be OK.”

Paqueta pushed for a move back to Flamengo in January, claiming a back injury made him unfit to play. West Ham responded fast, snapping up five new faces—including Axel Disasi, who came on loan from Chelsea. They're checking on him on Friday to see if he’s ready for a big debut against Burnley in a match that could define their season.

When someone asked if he’d wanted more signings, with West Ham still six points from safety, Nuno said, “We brought in players who made sense for us and helped rebalance the squad. The new guys can help. Sure, we had other ideas, but January is always a tough window. Now, though, we've got a committed group, and we have to look ahead. It’s not perfect, but the biggest thing is we’re competitive again.”

Talking about Paqueta, Nuno didn’t sugarcoat it: “Everyone knows it was a tough situation, but in the end, everyone found a way out. You can have targets, but those players are at other clubs, and it’s not just about what you want—it’s about what those clubs want too. Our fans need to understand that January isn’t an easy time to do business.

“It’s really about rebalancing and figuring out what we need for these last matches. I’m convinced we’ll be fine. So I want the fans to know: we’re positive, we’re working hard, we’re committed, and we know what’s at stake.

“Am I happier with the squad? Yes, absolutely. We’ve got more options, and the players want to be here. That’s the most important thing.”

West Ham also brought in Pablo, Valentino Castellanos, Adama Traore, Disasi, and Keiber Lamadrid on loan.

Asked if these players understand what a relegation fight means, Nuno didn’t hesitate: “They get it. They knew what they were getting into before they signed. It takes guts to join a club in this situation, and they’ve shown real purpose and commitment. I’m sure they know what kind of fight we’re in.”

Disasi might need to play right away, even though he hasn’t featured all season—Jean-Clair Todibo’s late red card at Stamford Bridge left them short.

“It was a mess,” Nuno admitted. “He knows he messed up, and he owned up to it. So now, we’re missing him for a couple of games. We’ll feel it, but he realised his mistake, and the truth is, we can’t afford these slip-ups—especially when it comes to discipline.”

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris says Granit Xhaka’s recovery is going well, but he won’t be fit in time to face his old club Arsenal this weekend.

Xhaka’s been a standout since he came back to the Premier League with Sunderland last summer. He’s played a huge part in their strong season—the club’s first back in the top flight. But he hurt his ankle during Sunderland’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace and has missed the last two matches against West Ham and Burnley.

No one’s put an exact date on Xhaka’s return, but Le Bris has already suggested his captain might be out for a while. According to The Sunderland Echo, Xhaka could be sidelined for several more weeks, which is a real blow for a team chasing European football.

Missing the Arsenal game stings a bit more for Xhaka personally, since it means he won’t get to play at the Emirates against his old side.

Reporters pressed Le Bris about Xhaka’s latest scan. He said, “Not yet, but he’s going well. He ran on the treadmill today, so that’s positive.”

When asked if there was any upside to Xhaka getting a break from the grind of Premier League football, Le Bris didn’t sugarcoat it: “It’s tough to answer because he’s a really good player. When our best players are on the pitch, things are just better for the team. But that’s football. Injuries and suspensions—they happen, especially at this level. You just have to deal with it. For the guys who step in, it’s a chance to show what they can do.”

Le Bris wants Xhaka back as soon as possible. “He’s still connected with the team. I hope he recovers quickly and comes back as his best self before the season ends.”

Sunderland managed to hold Arsenal to a 2-2 draw back in November at the Stadium of Light—a rare slip for the Gunners this season.

Looking back at that match, Le Bris said, “We learnt we have to show the best version of Sunderland and play with that underdog mentality. Arsenal are a top side—fantastic in the league, brilliant in Europe, and one of the best teams around right now. Playing them is tough, but it’s exciting. The bar is high, so we’ll give it everything.”

Asked whether he enjoys Sunderland’s underdog role, Le Bris didn’t hesitate: “Yeah, for sure. We’re newly promoted. If we keep this mindset and stay humble and stick to our principles, we give ourselves a chance. The level’s high, and mistakes get punished fast, but we can play with freedom. That’s shown in our performances so far.”

He also wants his players to keep showing the confidence and belief they’ve had all season. “Maybe it’s the energy of youth, maybe it’s the club’s identity. Early on, we talked about challenges. If you only expect to win against weaker teams, you miss your shot against the best. You have to believe it’s possible and have that confidence, especially in these big games. But at the same time, you know you’re facing a top squad, and you have to fight for every point.”