Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has featured in all seven Premier League games for Arsenal so far this season, but in four of those games it was coming on as a late substitute. The Ox has only started five games in total this season and I think that we should be using him more.
Last season’s injury problems meant it was a frustrating one for the young Gunner and with all the players we had missing, he would certainly have featured more heavily than his 14 BPL games, so he must be hoping for a much more influential season this time.
The England international has just turned 21 and wants to push on for club and country now and he always seems to have a positive effect on games. His second half showing for England against San Marino last night was just the latest example of this, as his pace and energy transformed the Three Lions and got all the players around him going.
The fact that he also provided two assists and was unlucky not to score just highlights what he can do and sends a clear message to Arsene Wenger that he should be playing much more for Arsenal. Maybe with Mesut Ozil out of action for a while we will start to see the Ox on a more regular basis. I would definitely prefer the youngster on either flank to the German anyway.
Chamberlain is doing his best to make himself a key part of the new England team, but will he get the same chances to do so for Arsenal?