'He won't be in the England squad' — Legend warns Arteta to help struggling star

Premier League legend Alan Shearer has expressed concern over Eberechi Eze’s struggles at Arsenal, urging Mikel Arteta to find a solution as the 28-year-old risked missing the World Cup with the Three Lions.

Eze joined the Gunners in the summer, expected to be a transformational signing for Mikel Arteta’s side given his unique playmaking qualities, incomparable to any other member of the Arsenal squad.

While he has shown those qualities in patches, especially in the hat-trick against Tottenham and his game-tying assist versus Manchester City, Eze has struggled for consistent game time, managing only 13 Premier League starts this season.

Eze got a rare start against Brentford on Thursday night and was yanked off at half-time after struggling to impact the match, which Arsenal eventually drew, which saw their league lead cut down to four points.

Shearer expressed concerns over his continued struggles, stating that the midfielder looked lost and needed help from Arteta to rediscover himself.

“Mikel Arteta has got one or two things that he needs to iron out. I mean, the situation with Eze  against Brentford was surprising a bit because he seems lost or at least he did in that game” Shearer said, per Goal.

“He took him off at halftime, and they got a little bit better. They put more pressure on Brentford and then they got the goal. But I thought Brentford were worth their point at least. 

“Eze looks lost. It's remarkable, really, isn't it? The guy we're talking about who scored the hat-trick in the north London derby. Everyone was thinking, 'Wow, what a player he is and what a time he's going to have at Arsenal'. 

“The way he sort of walked out full of confidence in that Arsenal stadium when he got his move and he looked as if he was a natural fit and, and belonged there. But he looked lost against Brentford. He looked as if he needed the world to swallow him up. He didn't look comfortable at all.

Shearer also raised a valid concern that Eze’s enduring poor form could cost him a ticked to North America for the World Cup later in the year, with Thomas Tuchel blessed with an abundance of riches in attacking midfield and wide areas.

"He won't be in the England squad if he's not going to be playing. I think that was his first start from mid-December last year as well. He's hardly had any starts as well and that has to change if he's going to get in the England squad.”