Liverpool legend John Barnes claims Willian is struggling at Arsenal because Mikel Arteta’s team have been inconsistent this season.

The Gunners snapped up the Brazilian on a three-year deal after his contract at Chelsea expired back in the summer. Despite a solid performance on his debut against Fulham on the opening day of the season, Willian has largely struggled for form at the Emirates.

Arteta’s side sit in 11th place in the table after losing four of their opening eight Premier League games this season.

After beating Manchester United at Old Trafford in the league for the first time in 14 years earlier this month, the Gunners were subject to a 3-0 mauling at the hands of Aston Villa just a week later.

Barnes believes that Arsenal’s inconsistent performances are to blame for Willian’s early difficulties, while he claimed Arteta must try to get the best out of the experienced winger, reports the Metro.

“Willian has come to an inconsistent team, it’s not the player himself that is at fault but the team he is in,’ Barnes told BonusCodeBets.

“If Willian went to a consistent team that was performing well every week, he would be a fantastic player and a great addition to the squad. It is on Arsenal and Mikel Arteta to try and get the most out of him.

“Once Arsenal start to perform so will he and the whole club will be in a much better place.

“Willian was never going to be the main man at Arsenal, he needs to come to a team that is playing well and then he will add to that.”