Arsene Wenger has explained that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain needed time to get used to to life in the Premier League, which is why he wasn’t used much in the first part of the season.
The youngster was Arsenal’s most expensive summer signing, and even if there was an acceptance he was a player with big potential, it would be fair to say that some eyebrows were raised when the manager paid that much money for him.
In recent games, however, it’s become easy to see why, and after a two goal salvo, and another eye-catching performance, against Blackburn today, the boss spoke about his emergence.
“In a very short period of time he has become an important player who can make a difference”, he said.
“He was not ready earlier in the season. He has made a big step in the last months. He produces team play, he is not only going forwards, he is contributing to the defending and has improved very quickly. He is a fighter as well, with personality. He is much more mature now.”
Despite two goals, he didn’t play 90 minutes and it’s clear the manager is trying to ease him into action, perhaps aware of the dangers of overplaying him too soon.
“Alex Chamberlain played three games for the first time in his career,” he said. “He had a stiff neck at half-time, so I did not want to take a gamble with him.”
And with Euro 2012 on the horizon, Wenger said he wouldn’t be surprised if The Ox was very much in the thoughts of Fabio Capello. Nor would I but it would be nice if we coccoon him away from all the other mingers he’d have to hang around with all summer.
Meanwhile, Wenger admitted he was happy with victory against Blackburn, but wasn’t getting carried away the Gunners’ goal glut.
“Today we got the performance and the result, which is ideally what you want. I do not give much importance to the seven goals, it is just important we won and played well.
“We remained serious and were guided by the way we want to play football and not by any extravagant individualism. That is positive. We were mature and serious, we played together until the end.”
Mental strength,anyone?
Wenger gets it right again in the market.
Damn straight, I already think he’s better than that no-chinned, bench-warming, money-grabbing cretin,
Lets string a couple of wins together first. Not being General Buzzkill, but we need some consistency to get that fourth place.
….but we did play very well today, and great to see The Ox doing well. Also sad to see how well Park is thought of.
My thoughts exactly.
Colonel Buzzkillington!
ARSENAL! ARSENAL FC! THEY’RE BY FAR THE GREATEST TEAM, THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN!
I’m going to enjoy the win today and revel in the fact we played great even when 11 against 11. Someone was due a beating, it was Blackburn. Happy days Gunners
Park is total rubbish, wenger out.
With a name like gdogg you must be a moron!
Gdogg, when did you last see Park play?
Why does Wenger need to be out?
Thanks for your well informed and articulated opinion. Twonk.
how can you tell he is rubbish ? from the way he sits on the bench?
Gdogg…you twat! You are a moron. You’re mum must be so proud of you
Must be a spud troll. Idiot.
I don’t believe that he wasn’t ready at the start of the season, he played early on in the CL and scored. I think Wenger is saying this instead of admitting he was wrong not to play him sooner.
Either way 7-1! Get in!
I think….you are wrong.
Watch his tracking back skills against olympiacos, he wasnt ready.
His passing success has also improved methinks.
That’s exactly my view also. He was forced to play the lad under pressure! simple as that.Not wanting to lose face he is hiding behind this “he was not ready” claim. Nonsense! He is the same now as he was months ago when fans were calling for him to get a run.
He should just admit that the fans were right!
As you can see, your point of view couldn’t be more wrong.
Zzzzzzzzzzz
he wasn’t ready , if you watched his first few games ,he was clearly not ready . was responsible for Olympiacos goals when we played them ,he needed to improve his game. he was poor vs Bolton in the carling cup game and the second olympiacos match , he needed to improve by traiining with the First team , the same is being Thomas Eisfeld Don’t tell me he was forced to play him , he fucking bought him against fans’ wishes , It’s not democracy if it was was he would have bought Stewart Downing or Hazard ,he is… Read more »
the second paragraph’s ‘he’ is for Wenger..sorry . I am little bit tired
I am going to shock myself and AGREE with Mr Bate, he was not ready at all, his defence work, physical conditioning and stamina has improved alot since his first few games.
Good win 40 points reached we are safe for another season now lets go for fourth, one cup final down, 14 to go.
So you know better than Wenger re developing young players then? A man with decades of experience and knowledge! Give it a rest will ya.
That’s a bin bag comment. Trash.
When I heard we were signing an Ox, I thought of a bestial beast. Never knew it was a gem on the way.
I’m not sure if everyone remembers, but we were thinking about splashing a ton of cash in the January 2011 window for the Ox (which would have infuriated everybody even more), but Southampton wanted to hold onto him for their promotion quest.
For me Alex song also stood out. His passing this season has been Fabregasque… credit where It’s due.
I think song has been under par so far this season, apart from a handful of games his passing hasn’t been great. Walcott is awful. Let’s hope rvp stays fit!!
Omission of Ramsey was key.
Can Alex Song play as an attaching midfielder/playmaker? He’s the only one with an eye for a pass in the team.
Attached to who exactly? Didnt Song has that amazing attribute. 😀
That’s exactly my view also. He was forced to play the lad under pressure! simple as that.Not wanting to lose face he is hiding behind this “he was not ready” claim. Nonsense! He is the same now as he was months ago when fans were calling for him to get a run.
He should just admit that the fans were right!
I feel he has been very reliable so far. He stops making stupid run forward when we need someone to zonal mark and go forward at the right moment. He also contributes to our attacking play and thats very vital for Arsenal’s game plan.
Interceptions and tackles has been sharp too although still prone to fouling for no reasons. Except for that I find it hard to criticise him.
Another one moaning about Wenger and his approach in guiding The Ox. Are you all from the same family? Would explain A LOT!
Crikey, if this was what came out of the Ox’s adaptation period, can’t wait to see what kind of Korean beast we unleash when we give Park a start.
…and Thomas eisfeld
so players coming from adaption period will be Like A New Signing
Can’t wait till Gibbs comes back so we can see a potentially brilliant CB partnership in Koscielny-Vermaelen. Arteta was magnificient in midfield and Song was his usual hardworking self. Rosicky played well too and I’d like to see him start against Sunderland aswell, although I wouldn’t be suprised if AW reverted to starting Ramsey again because he may rate him higher.
The Ox is awesome to watch. Great thing is no one knows what to expect, he’s got skills, quick feet, he’s fast, got some power, and got a bit of upper body strength too, so he really can beat most players down the wing. What I like especially about him is his calmness in front of goal, something Theo needs a bit more of, which allows them to finish off some great moves. With the Ox, Theo & Gervinho, reckon we’re in for a good finish this season, as long as we bury our chances. Also been critical of Theo… Read more »
The Ox is OXSOME* there fixed!
Mate, I couldn’t be arsed to read all that.
Koscielny’s attitude + Walcott’s pace + Asharvin’s technique + common sense
= Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains
+ Vermaelen’s workrate
+coq’s deep, penetrative thrusts forward
Frimpong is injured =(
He will be okay.
Its been said that Death once had a near-frimpong experience.
The Ox has been released.
Another young player that did well today: Coq. He’s our versatility man…dare I say it, but another Flamini in the making (minus the greed)? That would be wonderful.
Flamini wasn’t anywhere near as good at the same age.
That was payback for the offside yakubu goal that cost us a game you Blackburn cunnys!
Carlos Vela scored against Barca. 😀
I watched a lot of Cesc games for Barca. His passing was Song-esque. 😉 Songinho the master passer. Lol
As usual, Theo gets no love at all in the comments. I thought he was outstanding with the assists and his overall contribution was positive. People are too quick to jump on his mistakes when he has a bad game but overlook the many positive things he does for the team. His defensive work, for example, is highly underrated aspect of his game. And show me a winger with 3 assists in one game this season. I think its time we appreciate what we have before we lose another player with massive potential. Theo Walcott is the chief assistor for… Read more »
I really like theo and believe and use these 3 assists someday to defend him against his people who hate him like Frog or cygan’s left foot . Theo when on form is unplayable like Messi said he is most dangerous player he’s ever played the problem is consistence.
Hope he signs the new deal , I want him at the club as a starter or squad players whatever works for Arsenal
ugh! did I just write that..sorry still tired
He got plenty of love in the match review comments. I agree with you, but fans get frustrated with Theo because there will be 2 games a season wherein he looks a world-beater, then he can’t replicate that with any regularity at all and is never at risk of seeing the bench. Also, he needs to be more self-aware when he comes out telling people that he doesn’t care about criticism as he is the best judge of himself.. He’s probably trying to show it doesn’t affect him, but it actually just makes a point for those who think he… Read more »
It was a great game , for me it just showed how good we can be when we don’t go to snooze mode after getting the first goal. Still a lot of work to do and next week is gonna be really tough against a good sunderland side. As many people say its lovely to have a player like coq, he is strong, hard…in the tackle. It was very satisfying watching his spurts forward again and again. The coq is coming..of age. Ok sorry went a bit overboard there >.< Gibbs returns soon guys bets on how many games before… Read more »
Ox will be a beast. He is already more of a physical presence than Walcott ever will be. And as I saw on the MOTD, he already has exceptional decision making. I just hope too much pressure isn’t heeped on him so soon.
I’m not English, but should he be going to Polkraine this summer?
ok weve sorted the problem down the left flank, now need to replace that donkey on the right , ior even put gervinho there and stick walcott on the bench and use him as an impact sub, thats all hes good for to be honest , and none of that 3 assists etc, even wenger himself couldv played those balls across the box, id really give the assists to song,coq and rvp as they were integral to those goals,
walcott just aint doing it , and if you need evidence look at the ox , same age but massive difference
The year of the Ox!!! The Chinese need to adjust their calendar.