Arsenal: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s Solution Tough To Enact

Arsenal’s English stalwart-to-be, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, used to have the brightest future in the world, but his curtain may be falling prematurely.

It feels like just yesterday that the Ox burst onto the scene at Arsenal at the age of 18 and showed signs of being a future star. Yet here we find ourselves, four years later, and the Ox has shown very little signs of improvement. In fact, the only changes we have seen are changes to his hair style.

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The Ox is still only 22 so it’s still important to take a deep breath and realize that there is still time. However, he has shown two distinct characteristics of two of his Arsenal team mates that are also on the brink of being major disappointments.

The first is obviously Theo Walcott. Walcott went a decade without improving on much. His speed remains his primary – and arguably only – tool. Other parts of his game just haven’t developed. Walcott, too, had the world at his feet when he came to Arsenal but, unless something changes in the near future, he too fell short of expectations.

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The other team mate is Jack Wilshere. Wilshere also broke into Arsenal at the age of 18 and showed tremendous promise, but injuries have become the villain. The Ox has now succumbed to such luck as well, as injuries always seem to interrupt his seasons.

These are two massive weights dragging the curtain down on the Ox show and time is running out to sort them out before the show is over, at least at Arsenal.

Another contributing factor to his inability to develop is not knowing where to play him. The Ox has played wide for the gross majority of his time at Arsenal, yet Wenger has always pegged him as a central midfielder. When put in that role, he shows up, looks impressive, and looks improved. But he is rarely ever used in that role.

The Ox has almost nailed his own coffin shut out wide. His heavy touch and inability to retain possession have turned him into a liability more times than not. However, it seems like he almost matures instantly when put in a central position.

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By that standard, the answer to the Ox’s inconsistencies should be clear. Play him centrally and let him develop. But therein lies the problem – there’s nowhere to play him. That’s why he has been forced to play out wide. Arsenal rely on Francis Coquelin and next to him, there is a mass of Ramsey, Cazorla, Elneny, Wilshere and whoever else may be brought in this summer.

Simply put, there is no room for the Ox to let him develop – unless he plays out wide. Even playing out wide, he has to contend with Alexis, Iwobi, Walcott and Campbell. It is up to the Ox to find himself some relevance because Arsenal have to be past the point of giving excessive chances. It has cost them valuable time in the chase for silverware. Their squad is solidifying with or without the Ox.

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Our eccentric young Englishman is progressing well while injured and looking determined to get back onto the pitch this season. That is as positive a sign as it can be. But his opportunities are slipping by the wayside. If this summer transfer window is going to be as active as people are hinting, it’s time to shape up before the season ends.