Alphonse Areola is hoping to add another trophy to his impressive collection by winning the Europa Conference League.

West Ham’s number 1, Fabianski, has kept Areola out of the side for much of the season but he’s played a massive part in West Ham’s unbeaten campaign in Europe.

He confessed that he has ‘always loved competing in Europe,’ and that’s unsurprising when he’s done so for clubs like Real Madrid and PSG. ‘There is nothing better than playing in these competitions.’

‘We had a good campaign [last season in the Europa League], and it went very well. We hoped for a little more but, all in all, we managed to play well and show our worth in Europe’ Areola stated. ‘This year, we have shown that same dynamic. We’ve had a good winning streak, so it’s up to us to continue that streak’. All West Ham have to do is avoid defeat against AZ Alkmaar to go through to the final, sounds simple enough until you see they’ve not lost at home, in Europe, in their last 26 games.

The Frenchman feels confident heading into the second leg, ‘we’ve been doing this preparation work all through the week,’ exclaiming ‘we’re ready!’ Alphonse stressed the importance of being ready for the psychological battle as well as the physical. ‘There’s lots of preparation at a physical and mental level, and so when we get in the dressing room, we know what we have to do.’ The hammers confidence will be boosted by the fact they have that goal advantage, but it’s far from enough to be able to be calm heading into the game.

With Areola potentially having a massive part to play in the fixture, he claimed that ‘personality’ is ‘the most important thing’ as a goalkeeper. ‘You’re on your own,’ he said, ‘you have to make decisions for yourself.’ He added that ‘you have to be mentally strong,’ because ‘things happen, and in a fraction of a second.’

Areola was assumed to be the first choice keeper for West Ham this season but Fabianski has managed to maintain his position. However, there’s no hiding the fact that age is starting to show it’s impact on the latter and Areola will be hoping to get his chance to shine in the league next season.

For now though, he (and everyone else at the club) must be fully prepared in a season-defining game in the Netherlands. It’s quite literally go big or go home, do the Hammers have what it takes to finally find fortune and to keep this European nights going?

Written by Charlie Bass