Another young player with tonnes of potential in the Arsenal set-up – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. But there’s a buzz surrounding ‘The Ox’ (as the Arsenal fans have branded him): he’s brought a strong level of optimism and confidence back to the increasingly confident Arsenal team. He’s English, which is always a plus in the foreigner plagued English game – although they do bring a special quality to the league. He’s also on form, with many attributes that many players crave: raw pace, strength, skill and he’s an exciting attacking player to watch. Above all, he’s level headed, with clear aspirations and ambitions, but no bravado, ego or sour attitude to match. This Hampshire born winger is one to watch, with good reason too…
“We’re in a very good position now but we can’t get sloppy… we now have to focus on the next game and get the three points”, he declared recently, which was a typical show of his level head and attitude. Signed from Southampton Academy in the August of 2011, Wenger rewarded his rapid development with his debut for the first team: he was substituted onto the pitch for about half an hour, unfortunately in the game which Arsenal fans would all like to forget… Manchester United’s 8-2 demolition job of an embarrassed Arsenal.
However, after some good performances for the senior Arsenal team, he’s no longer just a man on the fringes. Chamberlain is an in-form player, and therefore many Arsenal fans are incredulous that Wenger doesn’t field their young starlet in the starting XI. With Rosicky – who doesn’t add much to their games – starting ahead of him, Chamberlain has something to work for. Hopefully his performances improve as his career at Arsenal continues… if they do, then the Arsenal faithful have certainly got something to be cheering about.
A lot of people haven’t forgotten about Theo Walcott being tipped for stardom at sixteen; although he’s playing at the highest possible level, it seems as if that endless potential has stagnated, and that his Arsenal career has been inconsistent. I hope that Chamberlain doesn’t follow Walcott’s lead – however, he’s already being heralded as a step up from Walcott, a major accolade for another Southampton Academy graduate!
Then there’s England- With such intense competition for places, Chamberlain has a massive challenge to get into the team. It’s not impossible for a youngster to make the grade: Sturridge, Walcott and Welbeck are amongst a host of young players that have been thrusted into the team. It requires work, experience and a string of impressive appearances, but it’s achievable, especially for somebody with the calibre of Chamberlain.
It’s said that in order to prosper as a top footballer, you must have determination, passion and aggression – Chamberlain possesses all of these qualities in abundance. I think he could be a huge success story, but only with the right coaching, together with him maintaining the level-headed qualities which he has already shown.
So, remember the name – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may well be the heartbeat of a future Arsenal team, a pivotal point of a future England team and an ambassador for a new generation of English football. The expectations placed upon him may be huge, but Chamberlain’s a huge player – will he be the next big thing, or another youngster with unfulfilled potential? I predict a happy ending to this story.
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He’s as good as rooney and is so young that he could go on to be as good as gazza. Next world cup he will shine.
Rosicky – who doesn’t add much to their games!!huh??..rosicky is the very reason we beat spuds nd milan!!his work rate has been amazing and so is his movement with and without the ball!!rosicky is jus gettin back to his best. His twists nd turns with the ball on the pitch against strong sides have been very effective.
“With Rosicky – who doesn’t add much to their games – starting ahead of him, Chamberlain has something to work for.”
Have you not been paying attention?
Have you been in solitary confinement for a couple of months?
That statement you made has to be one of the most ridiculous comments published on this lunatic-infested internet for many along year.
Rosicky has been brilliant recently and is quite rightly being rewarded with a new 2-year contract.
spot-on aj! Ed have you been watching Arsenal matches or are you jumping on the bandwagon? Remember you are talking about the player that owned Scott Parker in the North London Derby and did a number on Mark van Bommel on Tuesday! How you can postulate he gives us very little is mind-boggling to say the least.
The Ox is deefinitely one of the better talents to come up in the Premiership this season but some of your statements in this story lead me to believe had he been of another nationality you would not have bothered to knock this piece together. For instance,
“He’s English, which is always a plus in the foreigner plagued English game…” How you can describe foreigners as a plague on the English game smacks of xenophobic tendencies to me! Would the English Premiership be the most watched league in the world if the likes of Aguero, Balotelli, Van Persie, Thierry Henry, Cantona, Ronaldo, Zola, Cesc and so on had not raised its quality? I, for one, definitely think not!
All I ask is for a little more care in your word selection in future and now I will stop writing and get myself a beer.