Arsenal: Should Wenger Stop Subbing Oxlade-Chamberlain So Much?

Ian Wright recently stated that Chamberlain’s early substitutions are harming his confidence. Should Wenger be taking the Arsenal star off so early?

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been having his best season to date. Having already better his goal and assist totals from last season. It’s clear to see the improvements the Arsenal star has been making.

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Yet, ex-Gooners Ian Wright’s comments gave me something to think about. Wright stated that Chamberlain yearns for first team action and that Arsene Wenger substituting him early damages his confidence.

This was the case on Saturday against Stoke. Chamberlain was taken off before the 70-minute mark in place of Alex Iwobi. While Iwobi did come on and make a significant impact with a great goal. The Ox looked rather displeased having been hauled off so early.

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It didn’t help that Monday’s newspapers came out with a story reporting Chamberlain was unwilling to sign a new contract. Does Wright have a case? Or should Alex suck it up and keep working hard regardless of being taken off early?

Many will say that being substituted early is for the benefit of the team. Being replaced with a fresh player with more energy can reinvigorate a side. Especially when in search of a lead or when defending a slender one.

Wingers are often taken off especially early due to the immense work they put in throughout the game. Having to run tirelessly back and forth can be exhausting and not many players can last the 90 minutes. Last season Joel Campbell was almost always substituted around the 60-minute mark as he ran himself into the ground.

Yet, this doesn’t strike me as a problem for the Ox. On Saturday, Chamberlain still looked to have a lot left in the tank when the fourth official displayed his number on the electrical board. I feel as if in most matches where the Ox is substituted, he still has a good 10-15 minutes of productive running left in him. Chamberlain is the perfect player to prey on tired defences late in the game so Wenger needs to give him more opportunities to do so.

Another way to look at it is that Wenger has so many quality players at his disposal, substitutions give them valuable playing time. The likes of Perez, Giroud, Ramsey and Iwobi have found first team minutes hard to come by recently. Bringing them on early in the second half can help appease their need for more action.

Yet, if the Ox has merited his place in the first XI due to good form (which has been the case). Then he deserves to run out at least 70 minutes unless his performance significantly drops. Constantly substituting him early makes it seem like Wenger doesn’t trust Chamberlain to get the job done.

Out of all the wingers at Wenger’s disposal, Chamberlain has been performing the best recently. This is mainly down to the confidence he is displaying at the minute. If Wenger keeps substituting him, this may harm his confidence and the Ox from seasons past may return.

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Does Chamberlain deserve to be substituted so early in the game? Or does his form warrant more minutes on the pitch? I tend to lean towards the latter but let us know what you think…