Arsenal: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s talent dispels Theo Walcott fears

Phil Thomson has warned Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain that he could emulate Theo Walcott’s frustrating career. The Arsenal winger’s talent, though, dispels such fears.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been the best player in the Arsenal squad by some distance in recent months.  Initially entering the fray in a central position due to a mire of injuries and an untimely African Cup of Nations, whether played out wide or inside, Chamberlain has mightily impressed.

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His ball retention, a characteristic weakness of his game throughout his young career thus far, has been excellent, showcasing a wonderful distribution both in his long and short passing, and a more measured manner in his dribbling, ensuring that he protected the ball, as well as providing an attacking impetus and drive.

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But with his contract set to expire in the summer of 2018, there have been major questions hanging over his long-term future, with some suggesting that he should leave to further his own development and his own career. One of those is Sky Sports pundit Phil Thomson, who warned Chamberlian that if he stays in North London, then he could emulate the frustrating time that a fellow Southampton graduate has endured at the club:

"“This is a boy [Oxlade-Chamberlain] who has been out of the side for I don’t know how many years. He’s never going to hold down a regular place there. Does he want to be like Walcott? Just a bit-part player, hoping to a few games on the run because they’re playing three at the back. I doubt it. It’s been too long and he keeps on signing new contracts and we keep getting the same old, same old.”"

The comparison to Theo Walcott is a stark one. Both are surging, athletic wide men, who drive at opposing defenders with pace and power. Both are English. Both come from Southampton. And both were hoped were to develop into starring attackers for the majority of their careers.

Theo, though, is a 28-year-old who has never delivered on his potential. His technical deficiencies, his lack of understanding of the game, his lack of sharp, intelligent movement off of the ball have all stinted the success that he has found.

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However, Chamberlain is a far more rounded and polished player than Walcott. He is more than a sprinter with football boots on. While his athletic traits are significant and important, he has far more to offer – a range of passing, direct dribbling, consistent end-product. The fears regarding Chamberlain emulating Walcott do not hold true, primarily, because of their disparity in talent.