‘Alex Song was a great player for us and he was a big player for us – but we’ve got a strong enough squad.
‘I’m definitely confident of that and I’m definitely confident of filling Alex’s role.’
These are the recent words of youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, expressing his desire to fill the void left by Alex Song and hopefully hone his talent in the centre of midfield at Arsenal for years to come.
But is the 19-year-old up for the task?
As we all know the England international is usually deployed on the wing by Arsene Wenger but can play through the middle as past games have shown, and with Song gone and Arsenal’s midfield undoubtedly looking weaker, The Ox believes he is the right candidate to fill the gap, thus saving Le Boss a buck or two.
It’s not a new thing, as the youngster has expressed his desire to play in the centre of the park when he signed for the club last summer:
‘I remember on the day I actually signed he asked me where I saw myself playing.
‘My dad was in the room and said ‘Centre mid, he’s a midfielder’.
‘The boss sort of laughed and said ‘I think he could be as well’. He said maybe to start off with I would be out wide and last season I did play the majority of my games on the wing.
‘But the boss has been pushing more this season to try my hand in a more central position.
‘If I can prove I can play in that position as well then that will help me and my career at Arsenal.’
To answer my own question, I believe Chambo can do a really, really good job in the centre of midfield.
He has the stature, skill and movement to succeed in this position and his agility and pace would bring something new to our midfield – just look at what he did against AC Milan in the Champions League last season!
Granted he doesn’t have much experience in this position at the club, but he can learn the role and wants to play it, so why not let him? He is certainly a better option than Abou Diaby that’s for sure!
Unquestionably, Mikel Arteta is now our holding midfielder and has been since his arrival last summer, meaning we need to install or buy someone who is a box-to-box midfielder, which Chambo can be, if given the chance of course.
If Wenger doesn’t want to splash the cash this week and bring a new face in then he should consider the possibility of playing AOC in the Song role rather than Diaby.
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He is a far superior player to Song, but I am not 100% convinced with him at central midfield. A little too slow on the ball (passing wise) and he doesn’t always make the right pass. Also, his defensive positioning is pretty average.
Would prefer us to sign a real central midfield player. But I suppose anything that gets Diaby out of the team will do right now.
Yes!… given the opportunity Ox Chamberlain can fill the gap left by Song.
He may not have all the experience but in my opinion can and will be better than Song even Diaby!
He must be given the opportunity and tested in this role.
He has the pace and stature to hold the ball and exercise more cautious and critical passes than even the two mentioned!
Really don’t see everyone’s beef with Diaby. Think people should get off his back and let him play his game. I for one think he’s a superb player, kit lacking a bit of match practice and confidence.
Thank you! If Diaby stays healthy he will come good news proper. There’s a reason Le Boss has kept the faith in him.
OX CHAMBERLAIN IS NOT READY FOR THAT RESPONSIBILITY YET,HE’S A GOOD PLAYER BUT NOT
MATURE ENOUGH YET,BUT IT WILL COME.
I don’t see the problem.
Arsenal are bringing the youth through but not giving them the opportunity to get the experience.
Look at Rooney, cesc, sterling at Liverpool
If you let him play he will prove his worth
In my opinion not letting a talent like him be unleashed is silly as he will o ly get the experience by playing…
He is good enough and has proved it in the past …
Let him play fresh blood with a winning and die hard mentality is what we need …
Diaby, to be precised, is a total failure for Arsenal… he doesn’t even seem to know what position or role to play in our midfield. Hez indecisive, good for nothing, and of course ineffective player Arsenal has ever made…oops! Wenger should pls stop fooling us…!
AOC will be a great player for Arsenal but he has to mature a bit. As all young players he is sometimes giving the ball away too easily. That’s why young midfielders and forwards are mostly first blooded in as wingers
Alex is a great player, he will get better with experience and could adapt to any position he wants but we need a proper defensive midfielder. Someone who will just sit in front of the back 4 and defend without going forward and that is what Arsenal have been lacking in the past. Alex, just like Arteta, is too good going forward to be wasted in that position.
As for Diaby, really, does anyone need to ask, how long have you got? If he’s not giving the ball away, he’s falling over, he is the weak link in the team, they may as well be playing with 10 men
Diaby s a gud playa.. U guys dnt knw wat we ve until we lose him 2anoda club.C wat ade did 2spur las season.
Yes, Diaby is a good player but he sometimes gives away the ball because he is overdoing things. If he gets more playingtime and the fans off his back he will come good!
Remember, just two years ago many fans wanted Arsene to offload both RVP and Song, more patience please! 🙂