Ally McCoist claims West Ham have had a better season than Arsenal, he may have a point

Ally McCoist believes West Ham have had a better season than London rivals Arsenal after their UEFA Europa Conference League victory.

West Ham ended their long wait without a major trophy with a dramatic 2-1 win over Fiorentina in the Conference League final in Prague on Wednesday night.

After a goalless first half, Said Benrahma put the Hammers ahead from the penalty spot shortly after the hour mark before Fiorentina equalised almost immediately through Giacomo Bonaventura.

With the game looking like heading the extra time, England international Jarrod Bowen raced through to score for West Ham in the final minute of normal time – sparking wild celebrations from David Moyes.

West Ham held on in the final few minutes to secure their first major trophy in 43 years while also booking their place in the Europa League next season as a result of winning the competition.

Reacting to the victory, Scottish football legend Ally McCoist claimed West Ham have had a better season than Arsenal, who led the Premier League for much of the campaign before being pipped to the title by Manchester City.

City face Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday, with a historic Treble on the line for Pep Guardiola's side.

"West Ham have had a better season, think about it," McCoist said on talkSPORT.

"Just think about it. Arsenal had an excellent season. Got themselves back into the Champions League, a place where they have been regularly. Nobody is taking that away from them.

"But West Ham did something that they haven't done since 1956 [win a European trophy]."

McCoist's claim has divided opinion on social media, given the fact that West Ham narrowly avoided relegation by finishing 14th in the Premier League this season.

"People are acting like Conference League is Champions League. Congrats to West Ham, for clubs like them it's a big trophy but this is like saying [Leyton] Orient had a better season than Arsenal," wrote one fan on Twitter.

"Well done to West Ham I’m sure they are over the moon. As an Arsenal fan I congratulate them but i personally wouldn't swap our season for theirs," added another.

While a third wrote: "Not one West Ham fan would swap their season for Arsenal's that's a fact!!"

Featured Image Credit: Alamy & talkSPORT

Topics: Arsenal, West Ham United, Europa Conference League, Football, Premier League, Fan Reactions

Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA. Tested daily as a Liverpool fan in a Manchester office.

@rory_ocallaghan