Arsenal: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain At Breaking Point

Arsenal have witnessed a rare positive outing from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. It has now come to the point where something has to give way with him.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain doubled Arsenal’s lead in the 25th minute against Bournemouth and it was a fantastic shot at that. Coming from the right side of the box, he deftly tapped the ball across the keeper, striking the far post and bouncing it in. It was as if he had been this calm and collected his entire life.

But that has not been the case. The Ox has had a terrible season, all things considered. After scoring a beauty against Chelsea in the FA Community Shield, the Ox was dropped, destroying his confidence and rendering him ineffective. His substitute appearances and spot starts were shabby at best.

However, given a start against Bournemouth with the team needing a win, the Ox came through. Although he was subbed off fairly early, this match was a positive and it leads Arsenal to a crucial point in the Ox’s development. They have to find a place for him now or forever wonder what could have been.

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The Ox has been with the club for over four years and the progress he has made is minimal. He is still a prospect. Thierry Henry was very adamant about this as well, saying “how long are we going to say he’s a prospect? He’s been there for four-and-a-half-years. Enough now. You have to be a starter,” as quoted by the Mirror.

Henry’s punditry has improved over the years and again he is spot on. He cannot keep holding onto this “eventually” concept because it is getting him nowhere.

Graham Souness gave a bit of advice to the Ox as well. “You’ve got to be banging down the manager’s door and saying ‘I’m ready for this’.”

Both are valid points. The Ox is at a crucial point in his career. He was almost universally chosen as the Arsenal man to have a breakout year, yet if anyone has accomplished that, it is the Ox’s replacement, Joel Campbell. That is not a good situation to be in and one that should greatly concern Wenger, the Ox, and all involved with Arsenal.

Sure, he is still only 22, but when he was pegged as the next great thing at 18 and he has yet to really make any strides towards being a regular starter, questions have to be asked.

Perhaps one of the problems is that we still don’t know how to use him. Arsene Wenger has always seen him as a central midfielder, yet he is almost always used as a winger. His performances in the center have outshone his performances on the right for the most part, giving rise to Wenger’s claims.

Arsenal At Breaking Point With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

By Josh Sippie | Feb 9, 2016

Arsenal have witnessed a rare positive outing from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. It has now come to the point where something has to give way with him.

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