When Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Arsenal in 2011 I was chuffed. During his first full season in the Southampton first team, I was a student in Southampton and I tried to get down to St Mary’s a few times with a friend of mine who was a big Saints fan. On the way to the games he would rave about a young talent from the academy who he thought was destined to be the next big thing and when I got to see him play he did not disappoint, even at the tender age of 17.
Chambo was playing on the right hand side of a four man midfield but had been given a clear licence to attack. He constantly wanted to take on the full back in order to get into dangerous crossing or shooting positions, his end product was impressively consistent for such a young player. Although he was playing in League 1, it was clear he was a level above everyone else on the pitch.
He arrived at Arsenal with a pretty hefty price tag but has more flattered to deceive during his two years with Arsenal. It is in a fan’s nature to expect a lot from someone in his position but despite not being a first team regular, I am sure he has developed his game considerably on the training ground. This article is by no means a criticism of the Ox, but more of consideration of how he has developed and what the future holds at an important stage of his career, despite still being a teenager.
Although he had only ever watched him play on the wing, my friend always insisted that his best role would eventually be in central midfield, an opinion that was shared by Southampton and Chambo himself. My friend suggested that Saints played him out wide partly because of his inexperience but mainly because he was still the most natural player they had to play out wide. I wonder if this is a similar issue at Arsenal right now. There is no natural winger in our squad and at times Wenger seems to call upon the Ox when he wants to add width and pace to the side.
I would imagine that 99% of Arsenal fans, if asked what has been his best game would reply Milan at home in the 2011/12 season and I would have to agree. Is it a coincidence that this was in a central midfield role? Some might say that during the same season he produced a positive performance against United but from a left sided position. However, I feel the main issue is that although he has all the attributes to be an effective wide man if needed, we will eventually see his best if given the central role that he, and Wenger see as his best. Of course he has pace, tricks, flair and solid crossing ability but he possesses so much more than that. A crucial issue though surrounds when he should make the move inside. I believe he has the attributes to become a great central midfield player but these are slightly raw at the moment.
At Newcastle he came in on central midfield for Arteta and although Ramsey was charged with the deeper role, Chambo did admirably. He provided energy and drive as well as putting in a fair share of solid tackles. He has always shown to possess a good reading of the game alongside decent passing ability and he proved that in the same game. That said, in my eyes his best attribute is his desire to drive forward, make the box and get into dangerous attacking positions. He showed it instantly in the Newcastle game; within 2 minutes he nearly latched onto a ball inside their box with his touch just alluding him. There are not enough players in our side who bust a gut to get into the area and this particular attack was the first time any Arsenal player seemed to have the desire to attack.
Rosicky is the closest we have to a player of this ilk and is prepared to pick the ball up and drive forward to make things happen in the opposition half. However his goal return unfortunately has never been fantastic but in the latter stages of the last two seasons he has shown the importance someone like this can be to our side. This is the type of role Chambo could eventually excel in and he should definitely take this time to learn from Tomas’ experience. I think that if he works hard, he can bring a combination of power and athleticism to the midfield alongside goals. The best memories I have of Chambo are of times when he has been able to pick the ball up in dangerous central areas. If he is not closed down, he is prepared to unleash a venomous shot (Coventry (h), Newcastle (h), Swansea (a)). If he is closed down he also has the ability to pick a pass or go past defenders and this contribution of attributes makes him a defenders nightmare. When he finishes his development, he could be a top player in a central role and with Jack alongside him we could have two fantastic central midfield players on our hands in a few years.
Until Chambo is ready to exert an influence on games on a regular basis, he will most likely remain out wide and if that is the case, I hope he gets a chance from the left hand side. He would still have the chance to go outside defenders but it would also allow him to come inside and show some of the attributes I have mentioned. I haven’t been hugely impressed with him from the right side of an attacking three but recall a few games he had on the left where he did well: Man Utd (h), Blackburn (h), Swansea (a) to name a few.
Wherever he plays in the near future I am totally convinced that Chambo could go on to become one of Europe’s best midfield players, and an Arsenal mainstay for years to come.
