Arsene Wenger is not known to spend big money on players from the transfer market but the manager spent big this summer buying Shkodran Mustafi, Lucas Perez, Granit Xhaka and Rob Holding to add to the squad this season. Though a couple of the players have already adjusted well to the league, the real reason for the Gunners’ decent form early this season has been the performances from the seniors in the squad. The likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott have all been in splendid form this season for the Gunners and the manager will hope that the rest of the team also find their best for games to come. But one player who is struggling to find consistency is English winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
A product of the youth academy at the St Marys, Chamberlain moved to Arsenal as one of the most exciting youngsters in the world of football. He played his first minutes in the senior team for Arsenal in an 8-2 loss to Manchester United all those years ago and he has ever since grown on to become a decent player. He has at times put in some sizzling performances for the side but the lack of consistency has seen him stay out of the first team for Arsenal for a long time now. Though he has started the new season in fine form, he has yet again shown a problem with consistency and here is what might be wrong with him at the club:
A quick and agile winger with tireless energy, Chamberlain is a player who would walk into most sides in the Premier League. He has great potential, making him an impact player for his side and on his day, he can blow away the opponents like in the 2nd leg of the Champions League game against AC Milan where he became the youngest English star to score a Champions League goal.
However, that game remains his best contribution to Arsenal so far in his career, which shows what is wrong with him. Having not been able to play more than 24 games in a single season for the Gunners due to injuries, Chamberlain has just not been able to keep himself in the first team and keep learning. A number of injuries have surely taken their toll on the winger but at 23, he will only get better if he can get some regular game time under his belt. He is now also dropped from the English national side and will have to do really well to make his way into the squad, especially with the amount of competition around at the moment.
Wenger is one of the most patient managers around and will be ready to give the former Southampton man an extended run in the team but if the 23-year-old is not able to prove himself, it might be time for the Gunners to cut him loose. He is still one of the most exciting players but if playing for Arsenal is a too huge responsibility at his age, Chamberlain is well advised to spend a year away on loan. He needs to play every week to realize his potential. What do you think has gone wrong for Oxlade Chamberlain at Arsenal?
What do you think has gone wrong for Oxlade Chamberlain at Arsenal?