An uncertain financial climate at Upton Park saw several departures during the summer, resulting in the resignation of Zola's predecessor Alan Curbishley.

Finances have been depleted by the demise of their shirt sponsor XL while Sheffield United's £30million compensation claim over the Carlos Tevez affair adds further gloom.

With money scarce, the board expect Zola to draw the best from the current squad - and the Italian is only too happy to oblige.

"I like working with this team. When I first came here I was told that I was going to work with this team and I tried to make things better," he said.

"I am not thinking about anything else. Anything else that comes will be an extra bonus. My task here is to work with the players and improve them.

"It will be easier to spend £20million on that player or £30million on that player but improving players is what I enjoy about the job.

"I'm not concerned about the lack of money. I think we can do well with this team."

West Ham host Bolton tomorrow in a clash that will contrast the Trotters' muscular approach with their opponents' easy-on-the-eye passing game.

Zola views Arsenal as the best advert for the attacking game he covets and believes playing with flair is as important as winning.

"If I can get my team to play in the same way as Arsenal then I will be very happy," he said.

"Certainly right now Arsenal are one of the teams that not only plays the best football in England, but also in Europe.

"People want to watch nice football everywhere nowadays. You have to produce quality, goals and entertainment and everybody looks up to teams like them.

"Entertainment is vital and that is what we're here for. It's not just a war where you need to get victory at all costs.

"We want to make it enjoyable and people forget about that and are carried away by results and the league table but that's not for us."

Zola recalls matches against Bolton from his time as a Chelsea player and admits they helped him develop a different side to his game.

But he insists West Ham will not be seeking to fight fire with fire tomorrow.

"It was always tough against Bolton but I got on with it and learned to become stronger on the pitch," he said.

"I didn't enjoy the combative side of the game but I tried to get the most out of it and make my qualities work in those situations.

"I know we'll have problems when we play physical sides like Bolton but that doesn't mean we'll change our style of play."