Dan James' productivity, 3 goals and 6 assists in 1764 mins in the PL, is fine, especially for a relatively young player, who is in his first season in the PL. He remains on course for about 15 goals and assists this season. And that's without much of an understanding between him and the players he is attempting to supply. At times this season his team-mates have made almost no effort to get on the end of his crosses, as though scoring from 6 yards isn't their thing.
Compare his stats with those of elite creative players. In a full PL season over 3000 mins, Eriksen typically delivers around 20 goals and assists, Dele Alli similar numbers. Ozil at his peak for Arsenal similar rate though fewer mins so lower numbers. The currently in vogue James Maddison has 6 goals and 3 assists in 1871 mins in the PL. Last season he had 7 goals (including one pen) and 7 assists in 2877 mins. Maddison has scored 1 free-kick this season and 3 last season. Jack Grealish 7 goals and 5 assists in 1885 mins is performing better.
Felipe Anderson 9 goals and 4 assists in 3073 mins last season. 1 goals and 4 assists in 1378 mins this season in PL. Zaha 10 goals and 5 assists in 3046 mins last season (doesn't include penalties won). Nicolas Pepe 3 goals (including one pen) and 2 assists in 1259 mins in the PL this season. David Brooks last season 7 goals and 5 assists in 2317 mins. Ryan Fraser 7 goals and 14 assists in 3185 mins, in his other PL seasons his productivity rate was about 60% of that.
Eden Hazard 2014/5 14 goals (including 3 pens) and 9 assists in 3389 mins. 2015/6 4 goals and 3 assists in 2183 mins 2016/7 16 goals (including 2 pens) and 5 assists in 3050 mins. 2017/8 12 goals (including 2 pens) and 4 assists in 2451 mins. 2018/9 16 goals (including 4 pens) and 15 assists in 2935 mins.
The hard-working Willian has had 2 seasons in which his productivity rate is in line with 20 goals and assists had he played over 3000 mins, yet in other seasons 2 goals and 3 assists in 2439 mins, 5 goals and 6 assists in 2766 mins, 3 goals and 6 assists in 2123 mins. This season 4 goals (including one pen) and 4 assists in 1635 mins. Pedro has varied between an impressive 9 goals and 9 assists in 2178 mins to 4 goals and 2 assists in 1523 mins. In his first season in the PL he managed 7 goals and 2 assists in 2061 mins.
Alex Iwobi at Arsenal, 3 goals and 3 assists in 1471 mins in 2016/7. 3 goals and 5 assists in 1873 mins in 2017/8. 3 goals and 6 assists in 1974 mins during 2018/9.
Juan Mata at United: 9 goals (including one pen) and 4 assists in 2318 mins during 2014/5, 6 goals (including one pen) and 5 assists in 2907 mins in 2015/6, 6 goals and 3 assists in 1641 mins in 2016/7, 3 goals and 5 assists in 1942 mins in 2017/8, 3 goals and 2 assists in 1306 mins last season.
Of course, we need Dan James to improve. We definitely need him to be on the same wave-length as our other attackers, so that the runs being made match the type of cross delivered. Too often his final ball is poor, as was the case in the Liverpool match. His shooting looked great after his 3rd goal scored in the Southampton away game but since then hasn't looked at all convincing.
While I don't have a problem with Dan James being a regular starter in the PL, he should not be playing Europa League and domestic Cup games on top of that.
(all data from Understat:
https://understat.com/team/Arsenal/2019 etc)