Arsenal: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain needs freedom to flourish

Danny Welbeck has stated that he believes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s best position is central midfield. But will Arsene Wenger ever give him the freedom he needs to flourish in the Arsenal system, and could it the be the cause of his potential exit?

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a player who is yet to tap into the fullness of his potential. He has shown glimpses over a number of years, including an emerging run of form to close the season in a variety of different positions as Arsene Wenger shuffled his Arsenal pack. But there is still plenty more to come from someone who boasts the ability to be a truly dominating midfielder.

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However, one of the restrictions that is currently hindering his development is the lack of clarity over his best position. Some see him as a winger; others seeing him as an attacking midfielder. He’s even excelled at wing-back in recent months. However, speaking to Arsenal player, Danny Welbeck revealed that he believed Chamberlain’s best position is as a central midfielder:

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"“With the quality he has and with his ability on the ball. I’d say centre mid. I feel like he’s got the ability. I like it when he gets the ball in central mid, he knows that I can run in behind and he can play the ball over the top. He’s got that in his locker and that’s something that if we’re in training, we look forward to doing. If he stands somebody up in the centre of midfield and goes past them, they’re not getting the ball back. He’s so powerful and quick with the ball. He’s got an eye for a pass too, so it’s centre of midfield for me.”"

It is a feeling that Chamberlain and Wenger also agree with. Both have stated on numerous occasions that his most natural, most effective role is as a marauding, driving, surging box-to-box midfielder. And yet, now at 23 years of age, entering the prime of his career, he has hardly played there.

Chamberlain needs the freedom to flourish. But will Wenger give it to him? And are the restrictions, the apparent safety net, what has spurred Chamberlain to wanting to leave? It is clear that he is frustrated with the lack of backing that he has received from the club, both through their hesitation to offer him a new deal and in the roles that he has jumped to and from when playing, and it is difficult to blame him for feeling that way.

Chamberlain’s performances have been magnificent, wherever he has been stationed, and he is deserving of his big pay day. He also has the talent and the ability to merit the wages that he is asking for. Chamberlain has the natural skill, the athleticism and the understanding and mental fortitude to develop into a truly world-beating midfielder.

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He simply needs the freedom to express himself. It’s time for Wenger to give it him and build this team around his exuberant talents.