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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain cannot be benched again by Arsenal

By Josh Sippie

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There are a lot of Arsenal supporters out there who would have agreed that through the Community Shield and the atrocious showing against West Ham, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was the best player. His sublime goal against Chelsea to down the Blues and his intense, probing play against West Ham looked ready to be a mainstay in the Arsenal starting XI.

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However, Arsene Wenger thought otherwise, as he reverted back to Arsenal’s previous formation and starting XI against Crystal Palace; the same starting XI that he used when the Ox was injured. Aaron Ramsey was deployed on the right wings, much to his certain chagrin, and Santi Cazorla was given the central positioning beside Francis Coquelin, although both the Welshman and the Spaniard drifted about wherever they pleased.

While Arsenal did win the match, they again lacked the desired width, but this time on the right side, where the Gunners were without a right wing. Aaron Ramsey is a central midfielder and no matter where you put him, he is going to play centrally.

The Ox was brought on late in the game with fresh legs and he looked in inspired form, just as we left him, but that form could have been inspiring the masses for the entire match.

Without Alexis in the squad, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain assumed the Chilean’s workload – and he thrived with it. He shouldered a massive attacking burden and proved that he can do exactly what Alexis does, but with somewhat different abilities. Whereas Alexis dribbles through the defense, the Ox boots it around the defense and outruns them.

Either way, the two bring the same benefits on opposite sides of the pitch. To start Ramsey or Cazorla wide is to forfeit most of the effectiveness of that side of the pitch. Hector Bellerin still provides a threat but you do not want him spending too much time on the outside of the oppositions goal box.

It really is puzzling why, of all the people that deserved to be replaced after the West Ham beating, Wenger opted for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Only two or three potential reasons offer a viable explanation. Perhaps Arsene Wenger had to start Cazorla and Ramsey because he did not want to choose between the two or he feels that seniority is still a deciding factor and for that reason, the Ox was shunned to the bench.

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The third option, the diplomatic option, is that he wanted to save the Ox for if the worst occurred and Arsenal found themselves at a deficit and needing an infusion. But if that were the case, he still had Theo Walcott to serve the same purpose.

A fourth option is that Wenger legitimately believed that his best squad needs Ramsey and Cazorla no matter where they play on the pitch.

Whatever the cause of the conspicuous benching, it cannot happen again. Alexis and the Ox need to join forces and let this offense spread its wings. With Ozil in the center, Giroud up front and Alexis and the Ox on the wings, this offense is incredibly potent. Remove the Ox from that scenario and place a central midfielder on the right and suddenly the attack becomes lopsided. It worked against Crystal Palace, but it was not a very conclusive victory.

The Ox is the solution to the offensive conundrum. What Alexis brings to the left side, the Ox brings to the right.

Next: Wenger winning mental war with Mourinho

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