Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has ‘not really gone to the next level’ since leaving Arsenal for Liverpool, as he told talkSPORT.
The former Premier League striker was critical of Oxlade-Chamberlain’s performance during Liverpool’s defeat at Leicester on Tuesday and how he is ‘not doing enough’.
It has been nearly four years since Liverpool paid Arsenal £35 million (BBC Sport) for Oxlade-Chamberlain’s talents.
Injuries have hurt him during that period, but he hasn’t really gone on and cemented his place in a Liverpool side that has won the Champions League and Premier League title during that period.
Agbonlahor shared his thoughts on Oxlade-Chamberlain’s recent performance and how he won’t be getting into the England squad any time soon.
“Oxlade-Chamberlain was very poor (v Leicester),” said Agbonlahor. “I was watching Chamberlain and I am thinking, ‘you are not doing enough to be in a team that wants to challenge for the title’.
“Literally, two minutes later, Chamberlain comes off and Keita comes on. And I think that’s a problem for Liverpool.
“I look at Chamberlain since he left Arsenal to Liverpool. He’s not really gone to the next level.
“You look at England’s midfielders. You can’t see him breaking into England’s squad again, can you? For me, he’s not doing enough.”
When Oxlade-Chamberlain left Arsenal, he wasn’t exactly flying high, but struggling for form under Arsene Wenger.
In truth, it was a period where Arsenal as a whole were stagnating and many were interested to see how the Southampton academy product was going to perform under a different cloud.
The attack-minded midfielder has shown glimpses but the consistency levels haven’t been up to the standards of what is around him.
It will be interesting to see what happens with Oxlade-Chamberlain during these coming months and whether Liverpool sell him next summer.
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