Arsenal: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Has All The Necessary Ingredients

After Arsenal’s disappointing loss it’s often difficult to find positives to discuss. Yet the emergence of the Ox in central midfield is definitely something to ponder.

Arsenal’s loss to Chelsea has left the players and global fan base reeling. With the sudden realisation that the title is now officially out of reach. The pain of another failed title challenge can be tough to stomach. With a sense of groundhog day building, it’s better to focus on the few positives to keep us sane.

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I say this, but the amount of positive performances for Arsenal in the last week have been few and far between. The defence has been in shambles with Kostafi even struggling of late. Coquelin looks a shadow of his former self and superstars Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have been well under par. Yet despite this, one player has looked more assured in recent weeks.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has seen an upturn in form recently. A midfield crisis saw him drafted in at central midfield against Southampton in the FA Cup. His performance in that game was outstanding. While the last two outings have been less spectacular (mostly due to the rest of the team collapsing around him), the ingredients are there for Oxlade-Chamberlain to succeed in central midfield.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was purchased from Southampton to play in a wide position. Yet even early in his career, both the Ox and Wenger saw the potential of him developing as a central midfielder. Even without many chances, Oxlade-Chamberlain has excelled in his sporadic appearances in central midfield. Against AC Milan, Crystal Palace and recently Southampton, AOC has looked right at home in the centre of the field.

This is no coincidence to me. Oxlade-Chamberlain has the raw materials to be fashioned into a high class central midfielder. He has electric pace and stamina but also an in-game awareness matched by very few at the club. The Ox can glide past players but also recover to stop a counter attack if required.

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Passing has not always been the Ox’s strong point but there are signs that this part of his game is improving. Oxlade-Chamberlain looks much more assured on the ball of late than he did in recent seasons. While his ball playing skills will still need improvement if he wants to make himself a mainstay in central midfield. He certainly has the ability to achieve this.

With the wings looking strong (with Iwobi, Sanchez, Welbeck, Theo and Lucas) and central midfield looking notoriously weak. The Ox may continue to find opportunities in this area of the field. Wenger has stated in recent weeks that he sees Oxlade-Chamberlain’s future in the centre, now he just has to take advantage of the manager’s faith.

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s career has been blighted by poor form, injuries and positional uncertainty. This season he has nailed two of the three above by staying fit for the majority of the time and finding good form (The Ox has already bettered his goal and assist tallies from last season). If AOC can nail down a position in the Arsenal line up he can start fulfilling all that untapped potential.

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With all the necessary ingredients to make it as a central midfielder. The future looks bright for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Let’s hope he can finally make it count.