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Jamie Redknapp has claimed that Dani Ceballos hasn’t looked like the same player since he returned to Arsenal in the summer on a second season-long loan from Real Madrid.

The £52,000-a-week (Spotrac) midfielder spent the whole of last season at the Emirates Stadium, where he really came into his own during the second half of the campaign and helped the Gunners win the FA Cup.

Mikel Arteta’s side decided to re-sign him on loan, but he’s yet to really discover his best form once again.

Aged 24, Ceballos is a central midfielder who’s at his best when he’s expressive with the ball at his feet and drives his field up the pitch with his energy.

The Spaniard isn’t a major creative force, but is great in transition for Arsenal and the Real Madrid loanee has bucket loads of individual ability that he’s trying to unlock.

“Ceballos last year I thought looked excellent in the FA Cup final. He’s come back not quite the same player. I don’t know if it’s a frustration of being on loan again, players like to be loved. No player likes to be loaned out, you want a home. He’s not come back quite the same player,” Redknapp said on the Pitch to Post podcast.

TRB’s View:

Ceballos certainly is playing within himself right now and he can progress as the season goes on, but he’s one of so many players in the Arsenal squad that fall into that category.

Despite impressing in a relatively easy Europa League group, the Gunners have looked miles off the pace in the Premier League so far and are lacking an attacking spark.

Fortunately they still have three quarters of the season left to turn things around, but fans might not see it in the same way if they lose this weekend away to bitter North London rivals Tottenham this weekend in the league.