i read that he had too many protien shakes when he was younger in an effort to "bulk up", now arsenal have to specially manage his weight. He does look a bit too plump for his own good imo, shame that.

what does everyone think of this?


Arsène Wenger has hailed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s versatility - but still believes he will end up as a central midfielder.

Wenger believes he has all the right qualities to prosper in the middle of the park later on in his career.

“At the moment he is still in formation,” the boss said. “It is good for his education as he plays left, right and centrally when needed. After [the age of] 23 or 24 you settle in a definite position.

“He will be deeper as he has a good long ball, penetration from deep and a good quality to distribute and penetrate individually. Certainly he has the same qualities to Steven Gerrard. “He is a bit of a Ramsey type.”

“He has a good opportunity,” he said. “I think he will be in Roy Hodgson's plans as he can play centrally and out wide. On that front England do not have too many players.
“He had a big impact when he came on in that game against Brazil, especially in central midfield - and deep central midfield. His future will be there.”

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Found that interesting. I thought Arsene would be talking about him become something like Kaka. But a deeper role? I think he is hinting at something like Dembele but beter. I do agree that his long passing and running from deep is probably one of his best assets but his dribbling and vision surely will be better at CAM or 10?

Chamberlain has the skill-set of a central midfielder, but because he's got pace and power he can be effective from wide positions as well. I can definitely see Wenger's line of thinking, as I can just envisage Chamberlain picking the ball up with space in front of him and driving into space with pace, like Wilshere and Rosicky already do for us. Wenger didn't mention it, but what Chamberlain also has is a powerful long shot and that could, potentially, be a potent weapon arriving from deep positions.

Playing as a no. 10 requires a bit more subtlety in movement, which I don't think Chamberlain quite has. Wilshere and Ramsey don't quite have it either, and that's why they both struggled as no. 10s as well. Playing on the wing doesn't make full use of talents, either.

If he had more height I could see him playing like Yaya Toure. A roaming powerhouse, orchestrating attacks and bullying players off of the ball but his physique is still quite good for his age, I think that's part of why Wenger sees him as more than a winger.

not too sure about his final pass/defensive capabilities, whether it is good enough to warrant him playing in cm i dont know.

lnteresting take Arsene has... but, l dunno l see Ox as a second striker,

Hey dudes, a question about Oxlade-Chamberlain:

Where do you think he'll mostly play and where is he in the pecking order, how many PL starts you're expecting him to get this season?

He will easy get over 30 appearances. But not all will be starting positions.

Oxlade will most likely play at LW or in CM when others are out due to injury etc. LW is the best spot for him atm. RW might be too stacked with Walcott and Sanchez.

Can't really say atm for sure though.

We have the wonderful luxury to not only mix and match, but to rest players at intervals without substituting on quality. Wenger would be silly to not use Ox more than 30 times.

The thing is... assuming the midfield trip is Carvalho (keeping my fingers cross)-Ramsey-Cazorla and the attacking 3 of Ozil-Sanchez-Giroud... then you have Wilshere, Walcott, Ox and Podolski all fighting for playing time. So 30 appearances seems about right and i don't see Ox starting very many.

Chamberlain could make his place in the first team as LW considering that Alexis will play centrally at times, it's on him to perform in my opinion and I think he will, it's his best position anyway.

Ox has been very good in these last few games, quality performance from him again today but overshadowed but the result once again.

Yea agreed. He was poor few weeks ago but that was due to lack of playing. Now he is playing really well and long may it continue

Great player. Better than than Sterling

I think the turning point was in the FA Cup when he twined every single United player and set Monreal up. Just think what could have been had he stayed fit after that

Ox gonna Ox this season. I can feel it.

Or at least I can hope for it.

We've felt that the last couple of seasons.

Needs to stay fit.

You guys do realise that it's highly unlikely he will start games going forward right?

He only started against Chelsea because of no Sanchez, can't ever see him breaking through where he's a nailed on starter like Cazorla, Ozil and Ramsey are.

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:You guys do realise that it's highly unlikely he will start games going forward right?

He only started against Chelsea because of no Sanchez, can't ever see him breaking through where he's a nailed on starter like Cazorla, Ozil and Ramsey are.

He has a few weeks where he's a certain starter while Alexis gets match fit. If he outperforms Giroud and/or Walcott then there's no reason he shouldn't keep his place until one of those two win their place back.

He definitely has the talent to be a starter here, he's only 21 and already has 100 apps for us ffs. Just needs to stay fit and then we'll see. Plenty of opportunities for that in multiple competitions and with absences likely at some point in the season.

Don't think Ramsey is a nailed starter, him and Oxlade-Chamberlain will fight for the RW position.

urbaNRoots wrote:Don't think Ramsey is a nailed starter, him and Oxlade-Chamberlain will fight for the RW position.

Where is Walcott going to play?

CF as Henry 2.0

srigooner wrote:CF as Henry 2.0

Now that he has signed a new contract back to the bench until further notice.

There are 2 thing Wenger doesn't trust, Giroud playing cup finals and Walcott starting games.

Ramsey not a nailed on starter

Ox is competing with Cazorla (and maybe later on Özil if he's indifferent once again).

Art Morte wrote:Ramsey not a nailed on starter

Ox is competing with Cazorla (and maybe later on Özil if he's indifferent once again).

Cazorla? not when he's playing CM next to Coquelin he ain't lol.