Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has impressed in the cup competitions this season and could finally come of age at the heart of the Gunners' engine room.
It was against AC Milan in a crucial Champions League encounter at Emirates Stadium in 2012 when Arsene Wenger deployed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in a central midfield role. Wenger, who was without six midfielders for the second leg in north London, took a chance on the young Englishman and was rewarded with a performance greater than his 18 years.
"For a guy who has never played at the top level in central midfield, he started in a Champions League game and he did well,” said Wenger after the game.
But nearly five years on it appears we are no closer to finding out Oxlade-Chamberlain’s best position at Arsenal. The 23-year-old has made more substitute appearances than starts this season, but his goal and assist tally is the best since he joined the club.
Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round thrashing of Southampton provided exactly the kind of platform for Oxlade-Chamberlain needed to shine on. His long-range passing and bursting runs through the middle once again prompted questions over where his future lies: on the flanks or through the middle?
“I think he’s a good flank player and a good central player,” said Wenger.
“But the future, personally, I would say is more central than on the flank for him. But when you’re young, you want to push towards the flank. Why? Because playing centrally demands more experience, more demanding, more tactical planning. On the flanks you can be a bit more instinctive.
Naturally, I think he is comfortable always being involved in the game.
“When I look back, all the games he’s played centrally he’s done very well.”
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