Jamie O'Hara says £60m Arsenal star is a "luxury player", won't go to the World Cup

Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara has said Arsenal playmaker Eberechi Eze won’t go to the World Cup with England due to his inconsistent performances.

The 27-year-old signed for the Gunners from Crystal Palace for an initial £60 million last summer, but he has yet to secure a regular starting position under manager Mikel Arteta.

Eze announced himself to the club’s faithful with a stellar hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium, but has not made a goal contribution since in the Premier League.

In an interview with 10bet, O’Hara said that Eze has not performed consistently enough at the highest level in the big games, and he has been a bit of a luxury player for the Gunners.

The attacking midfielder has been a regular in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, but O’Hara feels he won’t go to the World Cup, having failed to adapt to Arteta’s playing style.

O’Hara said: “He hasn’t performed consistently enough. He played well against Wigan, but it’s about performing at the highest level in the biggest games.

“And he’s struggled, yeah, massively, I think. I think with wide players like Harvey Barnes, you’ve got Marcus Rashford, you’ve got Anthony Gordon.

“We talk about the number tens that we’ve got on offer in midfield – his position absolutely is under threat.

“He went to Arsenal, it was a big risk – and it was a risk that he took. And when he’s played, he’s not done enough on a regular basis. I just don’t know if Eze really fits into Arsenal’s system.

“Everyone in Arsenal’s system, they play a certain way and everyone plays into Arteta’s system. Eze’s not really that player.

“I feel like Eze’s a bit of a luxury player. I always called him a bit of a drifter. He’s in and out of a game and at Crystal Palace, you can get away with that.

“You can drift out of the game, let the defence do what they’ve got to do, the game gets a bit scrappy and then he’ll produce a big moment, and that’s why he’s the best player.

“Then, when he wants to get hold of the game and get hold of it again.

“When you go to Arsenal, you can’t do that. You have got to be on it, part of the team. Everything – including the defensive structure – everything about your game has got to be on for 90 minutes.

“I just don’t think that’s Eze’s game, and I think he struggled in Arteta’s system, and I think it’s going to take a lot to adapt to that system for him. I don’t think he’ll go to the World Cup.”

Eze must step up for Arsenal’s season run-in

The England international has registered five goals and six assists from 36 appearances for the Gunners this campaign. He has made a goal contribution in every 197 minutes.

In comparison, Eze had a goal involvement in every 132 minutes for the Eagles last term. Much more was expected from him, given that he has more creative players around at Arsenal.

His more relaxed and languid playing style has come under scrutiny at times. Eze has shown improvement in recent weeks and now needs to produce goals and assists with regularity.

Eze bagged a couple of assists during the 4-0 rout of Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup fourth round, but could not influence proceedings coming off the bench against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the league.

Arsenal take on arch-rivals Tottenham on the road on Sunday evening. We won’t be surprised if Arteta chooses to start with Eze in the number 10 position after his hat-trick in the reverse fixture.

Eze certainly needs to step up for the Gunners during the back end of the campaign as they seek to win some silverware as well as end their two-decade-long wait for the top-flight title.

A strong showing in Sunday’s north London derby would provide a big confidence boost for him.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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