Arsenal Walking On Eggshells With Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Arsenal has been largely propelled by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in their short, successful revolution, which makes the next match on eggshells.

Arsenal’s brand spanking new formation has everyone beyond excited about the potential of players in new roles. So many of our usual cast are being utilized in new ways and it is making all the difference.

Look no further than Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The Englishman has been given the reigns to the right wingback role and he has been absolutely incredible. Not just in his usual facets, but above and beyond. He has defended pretty well, he is coming through in the clutch, he is crossing well and he is playing full matches with no problem.

Which makes the fact that he left the match against Manchester City on crutches such a big problem.

It’s one of those ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t’ situations going into the Leicester City match. No matter what decision is made regarding the usage of Oxlade-Chamberlain, it’ll be like walking on eggshells. The chances of nothing going wrong are slim to none.

On the one hand, you can’t sit him. He has become such a huge part, arguably the biggest part, of this team in the short two game usage of the 3-4-3 and without him, I truly worry how the team will overcome. Even if you do put Hector ‘Cornrows’ Bellerin over there. He is not the tenacious competitor that Oxlade-Chamberlain is.

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I worry that the team won’t function as well with two fullbacks playing wing backs. Bellerin would probably handle it well enough, but not to the same degree, plus, it would be his inaugural voyage at the position and it hasn’t exactly been his year. That’s dicey.

On the other hand, you can’t start him. He was on crutches three days ago, that would be insane. Even for precautionary measures, you don’t put him in such a high work-rate role after he was on crutches.

You have to think long term. The Ox has has his career derailed so many times by injury and if you start him and his injury worsens, well then what? Then you lose him for a lengthy period of time, you upset his rhythm, he’s forced to recuperate and by the time he returns, Wenger may have already opted out of the 3-4-3 because n one could do it like Oxlade-Chamberlain.

And then we are back to square one.

Next: Arsenal's Potential Starting XI Under Max Allegri

This isn’t an easy decision to make. But if you’re asking me, you run the risk and start the guy. Just have Bellerin ready to come on ASAP.