Arsenal: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Becoming Impossible To Defend
Arsenal has maintained patience with young Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for some time, but that is becoming increasingly difficult.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is slowly working his way onto the list of most frustrating Arsenal players. It really doesn’t make sense. He is stronger and faster than most wide attackers, he has confidence and ability in copious amounts and he has the most faithful manager in the world.
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Yet he can’t put it together. Even this year, after scoring some beautiful goals in the preseason and following up with another great effort against Liverpool, he has subsequently faded into nothingness.
I stand up for the Ox on most occasions. Last year I was incensed that he was dropped after the FA Community Shield against Chelsea. But this year, after starting every game following the Liverpool defeat, he has done nothing, solidifying the case that, at 22 years of age, he is still nothing more than an impact sub.
I find it hard to defend him anymore. It’s like there is some last obstacle that he simply can’t overcome. Against PSG, he was sulking about, looking dejected and utterly flustered. That is not like the Ox that we are used to seeing.
Now, word from the Independent claims that Wenger is finding that the Ox’s contract situation falls in line with Jack Wilshere’s and Kieran Gibbs. As in, there is no situation. All three of their contracts expire in the summer of 2018, yet none are looking at a new deal and, if anyone, it will be Wilshere who lands the extension.
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The Ox is just in a tough spot and to me, there is only one possible explanation. Wenger has said that the young Englishman is a central midfielder, yet he has only played that role a handful of times for Arsenal. Granted, he has been fairly successful there, he still doesn’t have much of a chance of claiming a role there with the crop Arsenal has.
It sounded like Wenger was open to selling the Ox this past summer, but nothing ever came to pass and he finds himself back out wide with Arsenal yet again, an enigma as always.
Where do we go from here? He continues to flat-line with no end in sight. Arsenal cannot continue to throw chances at him, hoping they stick. They are a top-tier team that needs top-tier players that won’t hold them back.
The only solution I can see is giving him a Wilshere-esque chance and sending him out on loan. There’s nothing to lose there, but if it’s going to happen, it has to come soon.
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