His full Premier League debut in Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United on Sunday showed exactly why Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain deserves to play more regularly for the Gunners.
The 18-year-old was the hair in Manchester United’s sandwich, a ‘pest’ who kept on bothering them, and also the creator of Robin van Persie’s equalizer. To be replaced for Andrey Arshavin was met with great hostility from the Gooners, and was a clear mistake on the manager’s part.
Arsene Wenger did, after the game, admit that AOC’s removal from the match was a bad error, and that he was pleased with the England Under-21 international’s stunning performance.
On the game against United, Chamberlain said he was happy to start against the match and is now eyeing up a regular role in the team after his performance:
‘I was happy to get a start and obviously against opposition like Man United – it doesn’t come any better than that.
‘I guess it does [show that Wenger has faith in him] and that is a positive for me to take away, having the boss’ trust.
‘I’ve got to make sure I repay that with my performances, working hard in training and when I’m on the pitch.
‘Overall I was happy with my performance and happy to contribute to Robin’s goal. It was positive for me and mentally it puts you in a good position.
‘That can always change in football though – you can have one good game and the next game is a bad one. You’ve got to deal with the highs and the lows.
‘It was a nice performance from me and I’ve got to make sure I keep my place now.’
In my view and certainly everyone else’s, Chamberlain deserves to start more often. I don’t think I’ve seen a game in which he’s played where he hasn’t been at his best.
Making dangerous forward runs, tracking back, shooting from range, linking up well with others and his all round attitude on the pitch are but a few of his qualities that he always displays whenever he gets the chance to play. He is a great talent and certainly one to look out for in years to come.
In all honesty, I wasn’t too happy to see a large amount spent on an 18-year-old. But I must say I’ve been served a huge slice of humble pie, which I of course enjoyed eating while watching Chamberlain continue to amaze me even more.
In my opinion, he should be picked ahead of Arshavin from now whilst Gervinho is away, and when the Ivorian returns he should ahead of Theo Walcott, who seems to have his head in the clouds more often than not.
What do you guys think – Should AOC be given a run of games? Should he be considered a starter after his recent performance?
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Come on Walcott needs a break. It shows we do not have the depth.Most half the season he played well. He cannot do it always. Now OX should play more often because walcott needs a desrved break. RVP personally thanked Walcott for all those assists.
Chambo has what it takes to make then first team, however he is young and it’s about burning him to early but a Wenger should work out bitwin him and theo
I my own opinion, Alex should be ahead of Walcott in this team. The boy was so exceptional against Man City where he was also disgracing their full backs, something Walcott is not always successful at doing. It’s time Wenger started playing the lad.
Can’t be worse than Arshavin or Walcott – when your at the bottom, the only way is up.
CHAMBALINE DESERV STARTING ROLE AHEAD OF WALCOT, WALCOT IS A GOOD PLAYER BT H NDS COMPETITION 2 KP HM IN BEST FORM, WENGER SHOULD BUY DEFENDER AND A STRIKER,
ARENE WENGER IS ONLY LEAVING ON D PAST RECORD, IF H FAILS 2 CREAT BETTER ACHIEVEMENT H W B PUTING 2 SHAME BY ALLOW ANOTHER COACH THAT TAKE AFTER HM DOING WHAT H FAIL 2 DO FOP D PAST 6 YEARS. W ND RAMSEY RPLACEMENT H ONLY HOLD D BAL ABNORMALLY I THINK H DSERVE PLAYING FRM BENCH. FRM ONDO STATE NIGERIA
Y he needed to play more is becos he is confident of himself and that is wat brings result in football