The internet’s all abuzz with hyperbole and hype concerning the performance of one of Arsenal ’s recent signings. Anybody who doubted the credentials of a certain Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will surely be forced to change their tune upon viewing his performance for the England U21’s against Israel.
England were trailing by a goal to nil at half-time, before Stuart Pearce introduced the 17-year-old into the proceedings. It’s fair to say that he changed the game, chalking up 3 assists and winning a penalty as the Three Lions went on to win the game 4-1. To have such a positive effect on a game at such a young age will no doubt have pundits sitting up and taking note.
We’ve heard tale of his wonderful performances in a Southampton shirt, but this could well go down as the game where he announced himself on a ‘grander’ stage.
What’s impressive about Oxlade-Chamberlain isn’t just his absurd, matchless pace, but also his decision making process. Whilst Theo Walcott is still subjected to claims that he has no ‘footballing brain’ and that all too often he makes the wrong decision, Oxlade-Chamberlain has demonstrated on numerous occasions, that he’s an extremely effective player.
He seems to have a natural ability to cross the ball (see his first assist from the England-Israel game) and this in combination with his pace, will surely be an asset for the Gunners over the coming seasons. But is he ready to make the step-up into the first team just yet?
One thing’s clear: Arsenal have lacked a player who can deliver a decent cross for quite some time. Walcott’s crossing is much too sporadic, Arshavin doesn’t float too many balls into the area and the Arsenal full-backs aren’t much better (except, perhaps Bacary Sagna). The likes of Robin van Persie and Marouane Chamakh could no doubt benefit from Oxlade-Chamberlain’s deliveries.
The reverse of this argument is that Arsenal don’t really cross, because the strikers at the club aren’t renowned for their aerial prowess. The Gunners aren’t a team that score too many headers outside of set-pieces. I’d argue that this is something that they should be looking to add to their game. Oxlade-Chamberlain’s ability in this regard is something that should be encourage and utilised, not neglected.
For the time being, I’m sure we’ll mostly be seeing Alex ply his trade for Arsenal in the Carling Cup and perhaps in the early rounds of the FA Cup. This could well be a good occasion for the Gunners to attempt a different style of game play. Would it be so bad to see players bust a gut to get into the box as Oxlade-Chamberlain whips in a cross? This could well be the ‘Plan B’ that every pundit and his dog claims the Gunners lack.
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Written by Harry Cloke
He wasn’t even on the plane to Dortmund so the answer has to be ‘NO’.
I suspect AOC just isn’t ready yet. He has to up his fitness and integrate with the likes of Arteta and Song. Or he has to get ahead of Walcott, Gervinho, Arshavin, Park, and RVP … which is highly unlikely.
He may get his chance against Shrewsbury in the Carling. But if he does and doesn’t ‘run the show’ then it could be a step back rather than a step forward.
AOC is the future of Arsenal not it’s present. For that we’ve got tried-and-tested players.
But it’ll be up to him. His attitude. His dedication. His ability to impress at Colney. All that ‘off the pitch’ stuff too.
He can take heart that Wilshere was in a similar situation last season and took his chance.
But then Wilshere is one of the top three teenagers in world football. (Gotze and Alcantara are probably the others).
If AOC is that good then he should have no problem at all. Let’s see a week tomorrow at the Emirates how well he does.
I don’t he’s ready yet either. Ability in a nonsense game for England under 21’s means nothing.
The Carling cup will show whether he can play a pressure game.
In my opinion I think he should be blooded as a sub, but with Benayoun, Park etc. his chances will be limited to injuries and suspensions.
I say this because Myaichi is also a game changer type player, great dead ball, loves running and has bags of pace but we have experience in his position now.
What I would love, is for Theo to get the front man role in the Carling cup with Chamberlain down the right and Myaichi down the left. Theo to hang on the shoulder of the centre backs would keep them pinned back, would cause them to mark tight and concede free kicks, it would take two players completely out of the game because even a clearance into that space would represent a chance on goal given his pace. With that kind of play we could keep their whole team pinned back in their own half because any space left by either full back would leave them open to the pace of chamberlain and myaichi, and a CB getting out to cover would expose them to theos speed.
Our switch from defence to attack has been painfully ponderous lately and only Arteta has been looking to actually get quick balls forward, put theo up front and any time any of our players get the ball they can hoof it up to the space and let him run for it, we could attack all day without any fear.
He did well in a U21 game against Israel… so what. It just isn’t enough to go on. I do have high hopes for him though.
He should be playing right now.