Arsenal: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain So Far Beyond Words

Arsene Wenger has openly admitted that losing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would be damaging to Arsenal, but the Ox is past the point where that matters.

Arsenal has always had a huge stage reserved for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Arsene Wenger pulled out all the stops to get him from Southampton and he has tried even harder to raise him within the Gunner’s system and help him capitalize on what is literally a world of talent.

Injuries have gotten in the way, but the main thing that has gotten in the way is the lack of consistent playing time at his best possible position.

Which is not on the right wing. It’s central midfield and everyone admits that. So for him to keep missing out on time there is detrimental to his growth. That’s just some basic powers of deduction to uncover that logic.

Le Prof came out recently and admitted some telling things about his feelings about the Ox’s future. His words, via the Guardian:

"I personally think it’s vital that Chamberlain stays at Arsenal. We bought him when he was very young and built him up. He has a great mentality and a good football brain and it would be big damage for us to lose this kind of player"

That’s cute. It’s definitely a valid point and one that we can only hope Wenger is taking seriously.

But at the same time, I have to imagine that there isn’t much Wenger can say anymore to make a difference in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s decision. I say this because the Ox has been very open about what he wants, and it isn’t a pat on the back and a word of encouragement.

It wasn’t all that long ago, less than a year, in fact, that the Englishman said this (as quoted by the Mirror):

"I’d be lying if I wasn’t going to sit here and say that it has crossed my mind that I need more game time. As a footballer, you want to play every game. Me being myself, I’m not happy when I’m not playing. There is going to come a time in my career, and I think I’m approaching that, when I do need to be getting more regular football, but my focus completely and utterly now is on playing for Arsenal and still trying to break into the team when I get the opportunity."

That’s pretty cut and dry. If he isn’t playing, he will go somewhere else. It doesn’t matter how important Wenger tells the Ox he is, if he isn’t willing to practice what he preaches, what’s the point?

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And that is the overlying point here. Wenger is right, losing the Ox would be massively damaging, mainly because we know that wherever he ends up, he is going to be a star. It always turns out that way. And wherever he goes, that team is going to use him as a central midfielder, because why else would Ox go there?

Meaning that we will see first hand what should have been happening at Arsenal.

What it comes down to is Wenger’s willingness to upset the favor of some of his other prodigal midfielders to get the Ox into the first team enough. When Jack Wilshere returns, there are going to be a handful of central midfielders who Wenger has invested in and the Ox will be up against it.

Not because he hasn’t been effective – he absolutely has – but because Wenger undoubtedly still sees him as a winger first. And in a 4-2-3-1, that’s the best he is going to get. Just ask Aaron Ramsey.

Next: Arsenal's Potential Starting XI Under Leonardo Jardim

The Ox is having his best statistical year yet, but most of that success came earlier in the year. This season needs to finish strong for him, because the summer is going to be a tantalizing time for him as he decides his future.

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