Former Everton player John Collins has slammed West Ham United striker Marko Arnautovic for not having a good work ethic.
The £100,000-a-week [Spotrac] ace was signed by ex-manager Slavan Bilic, and he has been a regular feature in the Hammers’ first team since he arrived from Stoke City.
However, even though Collins reckons that he is a “good striker of the ball”, he still believes that Arnautovic is not consistent enough in his work ethic, which is why he has not attracted a top team yet.
“He’s a good striker of the ball, but what he doesn’t have for me is consistent work ethic. If the team is not playing well, or if he’s not playing well, he’s going to put in a shift, he’s going to work for the team,” he told beIN SPORTS.
John Collins questions Marko Arnautović's attitude and calls him "disrespectful". #beINPL #WHUCHE 📺 HD11 pic.twitter.com/KvIKQn0s5J
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) September 23, 2018
“I think that is why he is not at a big team, he’s been at Stoke, West Ham, Werder Bremen. There’s a reason – it’s not because of his technical ability, because his technical ability is top level. It’s other things you need, I think, that lets him down.
“When a teammate gives him a bad pass, is his instant reaction to try and make that into a good pass? Or is it to throw your hands up in the air and say ‘that was a rubbish pass, I’m not chasing it.’ Question is, can the manager get that out of him? Because as you can see, he can finish, he can beat a man.”
OPINION
Arnautovic is definitely one of West Ham’s players in terms of technical ability – but it is hard not to agree with Collins when he refers to his lack of work ethic. Like he said, that is the one reason why he has not attracted the attention of the top teams – if he did have a good work ethic, then he may be playing for one of the Premier League’s top-six at the moment. If anything, he is the only thing standing between him and a move to a top club – and he must improve his work rate for West Ham if he really wants to make a success of himself elsewhere. He has the ability to thrive at a team like Chelsea, but they will be put off by the fact that he does not react well when he is not on top form. Hopefully he can change his ways soon – as it will really prove dividends this season if he does.
