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Arsenal: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain A Driving Force In More Ways Than One
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a driving force with his surging runs from midfield. Now, he is driving his Arsenal teammates to success off the pitch as well.
Patrick Vieira is well known for his dual-avenue of inspiration. His leadership challenged and encouraged his teammates, while his physical power, his blend of touch and close control made hi, a driving force from midfield, anchoring the Arsenal midfield throughout Arsene Wenger’s early years.
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He was a man-mountain both on and off the field. A spearhead figure of the club, Vieira was instrumental in the success that the Gunners enjoyed throughout his time there. Since his departure, Wenger has failed to replace both his surging runs from central midfield and his inspirational leadership.
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In recent weeks, since Wenger was forced into altering his position from a wide berth into a more central role, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has displayed the combination of power and control to drive Arsenal forward from midfield. Well, now he is not only a force on the pitch, but, in a recent interview with Arsenal player, is challenging his teammates off it as well:
"“We want to be able to respond for the fans. They want to win as much as we do. We’re all in this together and we all want the same thing, so we’ve all got to stand up and be counted. They want to see us doing that just as much as we want to be doing it. We understand their frustration but we share the same frustrations as them. The only difference is that, as players, we have the direct opportunity to change things and make things happen. I think that, with the fans helping us by getting behind us, it will definitely help us do that.”"
They are encouraging comments to hear from Chamberlain. Thanks to an untimely African Cup of Nations, a Granit Xhaka suspension and a few key injuries, Chamberlain has been stationed centrally, a position that both he and Wenger have proclaimed is his most natural, and has impressed.
His ball retention, something that has been an issue of his game, has been exemplary, his distribution has been purposeful and accurate and he has played, while a little more measured, with the same surging runs that epitomised Vieira’s game.
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Entering the prime of his career, Chamberlain is establishing himself as a key member of the first team, both on and off the pitch. Although he will never have the same authority as Vieira, his influence is only growing as his performances improve and role increases. This could be a future-shaping period for the Ox.