Former Premier League winner Ray Parlour has criticised West Ham United attacker Marko Arnautovic for his recent behaviour.
The Austrian has been agitating for a move to China in recent weeks and was left out of the squad that lost to Bournemouth on Saturday because he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to play.
Parlour has had his say: “This is how to be a professional footballer is [Aaron] Ramsey, how not to be a professional footballer is Arnautovic,” he told talkSPORT. “Because West Ham have been fantastic for him – really got his career back on track after Stoke. We didn’t know where he was going to go, he was a good player, but now people love him at West Ham.
“‘Oh no, I can’t play, my head’s not right’. That’s not being a footballer. It just shows you the difference between a true professional and a professional who’s in it for the money, not interested in the club, not interested in the fans, and I hate to see players like that,” he finished.
OPINION
You can’t really argue with anything Parlour’s said, here. Arnautovic’s actions in recent weeks, and those of his brother and agent, suggest that he is only in the game for the money. If he was in it for purely footballing reasons then he’d want to remain in the Premier League rather than go and play in the competitive wasteland that is Chinese football. Parlour makes a good point by comparing his behaviour to Ramsey’s. The Arsenal man is out of contract at the end of the season and is going to be leaving the Emirates Stadium. However, he continues to give 100% every time he puts the Gunners shirt on, and conducts himself professionally at all times. That’s in stark contrast to how Arnautovic has acted. Not being in the right frame of mind to play is something we hear a lot when players want a move away and it’s nonsense. He’s trying to facilitate a transfer and that’s all there is to it. Arnautovic needs to take some lessons in professionalism from Ramsey, that’s for sure.
