Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says he’s always happy to play in the centre of midfield when asked to do so by Arsene Wenger.
The Arsenal manager has always said that the England man would end up as a central midfielder in the long-term, but until now he’s been played primarily in wide positions.
Speaking to the podcast on the official site, the Ox spoke about the need for versatility, saying, “I’ve become more used to playing on the wing because I’ve played there more than I have in the middle. Growing up, I played more centrally, which is why whenever I do get asked to play there, I’m more than happy to do that.
“There are times in the game as well when, because of the way the team plays, I might be on the wing but for a 10-minute period I might end up playing in midfield, and I feel at home doing that.
“Sometimes it’s nicer to play in midfield because you get more of the ball, whereas when you’re out wide you rely on people to get you the ball.
“But then when you are on the wing you have then license to attack a bit more and run at people, which is a strong part of my game. I’m happy to play in both positions.”
“Versatility is an extra string to a player’s bow, but in the long run it’s probably better to tie yourself down to one position and really become established in one area to be as good as you can in that position.”
Interestingly one of his best ever performances was in central midfield against Milan a few seasons back, but given his struggles this season, he seems destined to stay wide for the time-being.
Will need to practise his close control in tight spaces before I’m convinced. But I know Arsene thinks he can do it, in time.
I’m more interested in his passing. His dribbling and crossing have been good as always this season but it’s combination play that’s let him down. He needs to rely less on running with the ball and more on passing and moving, which will let him pick his moments better
His crossing has been good as always? I cannot remember one good high cross that he has ever made.
There was a game which ox scored 2 goals playing in the middle. Was it against villa? Those 2 goals were proof of his raw natural talent in combination play. He just need to nurture it more…but firstly, he has to really work on his defense.
Interesting debate – my impression is that he loses control of the ball a bit and then makes a rash/inaccurate pass due to the lack of total control. That isn’t so much of a problem when attacking (we just lose the opportunity) but is if he is playing CM and defending, hence the goals against us that we have seen where he has lost the ball. Practice makes perfect, whatever it is.
Chambo’s problems right now are confidence and fitness issues, nothing more. The fitter you are as player, the more confident you are, and the more confident you are, the better decisions you make in matches. Right now, all he’s doing is making poor decisions on and off the ball. That’s it, he hasn’t lost his ability as a player. He’s still got bags of talent, he he’s had a long injury lay off so he just has to take baby steps now off of the bench, get his match fitness back, get a run of games going, get the basics… Read more »
He’s just turned 22, we can’t expect him to be right there until 24 or later.
Close control ? He has that. He is a dribbler. Remember the goal he set up against Man U (I think) last season ? That’s close control at its best. Now, he just needs to improve as a player.
I saw the ox play as a 16 year old and became a fan for life!…..I am therefore absolutely convinced he will shake whatever cobwebs he his having right now and play himself back into form….there is just too much natural talent in him not to make it I said the same about ramsey when he was being roasted….look at him now i said the same about ozil…….look at him now I said the same and still maintain the same about schezny……I got stumped on that one but hope he still proves me right (mebbe if he stops smoking…..in public?(wink!))… Read more »
you ever thought about being a scout?
or being an oracle. or playing the national lottery…
Congratulations, you win the prize for the most ‘I’s in a single post.
I agree, he has the potential to be excellent in a Ramsey type of role, but currently does not offer the security on the ball to be trusted in the centre. Maybe he too needs a run of games on the right to “learn to play in tight areas” as Wenger puts it.
agreed, too many turnovers to be trusted in the middle right now.
He’s young so we need to give him a break and he’s had some bad injuries; however, I’m not really sure he’s progressed much since we signed him. That’s my worry.
COYOxlade-Chamberlain!
I sure hope he can regain form and start improving during this month of December, 2015.
10 goals by season’s end, ahright?
Got them sprinter deltoids
Take your chance!
It is noticeable that his form is wanting at the moment. However, I trust Wenger to mentor him into greatness. Step by step, game by game. The Community Shield game showed us his lethal edge.
Whenever he plays in the middle, his contribution is awesome. Even Ozil had difficulties on the wing for a while although he did a good job there. So am relying on Wenger’s wisdom and experience to solve Ox’s present troubles. Just have to wait and see his transformation by the end of the season.
Be a man!
I believe he is just trying to hard. He has great potential. Be patient little one. Your time will come.
Well, I can’t really see him centrally any time soon, unless, the injury Gods really want to screw us. Which doesn’t mean he won’t be any good .
Love the Ox, bags of ability and talent. I just think he needs to be a bit more mature and serious about his football, only 22 though so plenty of time
He’s still very young but has had some outstanding games in past seasons. For the first 20 minutes of the game against West Ham (1st game of the season) he looked like this would be his break through season. He was by far our most effective attacking option and had their left back in all sorts of trouble and then it all went tits up for him. Now he just looks completely lacking in confidence but trying far too hard to make things happen. Maybe a bit of luck with a deflected goal will get his confidence back but until… Read more »
Heavy heavy touches, lots of missed passes n a liability in defence… for a central midfielder theyd be considered as even bigger vulnerabilities. Better stay wide for rest of this long long wait for him to come good again. But god what happened to him after that injury
It does really seem like it’s after that injury right?
Something is not right, feels like he isn’t as focused during match day.
He’s sorta in the position where Ramsey was a couple years ago. Everybody is slagging him off like they were Ramsey back then.
Just because Ramsey turned into one of the best players in the league doesn’t mean the Ox will too, but it’s surely hugely premature to write him off as some have.
Remember, however sh*the Ramsey was earlier, he never stopped trying.
His head never dropped.
That’s the leaf OX needs to pick from the book. He hasn’t convinced anyone with that aspect yet THIS SEASON.
I’d say the support for Ox is nothing like that for Ramsey over two years back. The antagonism against Ramsey then was absolutely terrible.
Some of us still aren’t convinced of Ramsey
Ox strikes me as the sort of player who is planning his next move before he completes his current one. lately it seems he is always rushing and doing things 100mph when he doesn’t always need to. Part of that is self imposed pressure on himself because he knows he can deliver more than he does and part is he seems perennially returning from injury. He rarely cracks that 5,10,15 consecutive matches threshold you need to build form. Not a slight on the boy just a fact unfortunately. If he is to move central I’d say he needs to master… Read more »
squad player and good option to bring off the bench in this current Arsenal. Has time to develop, but shouldn’t be displacing anyone in our current starting 11. If progression isn’t reached by season’s end, maybe a loan spell to get regular games next season would kick start his career.
Yeah I could see him as a stephane dalmat type of mid. As long as injuries don’t get the better of him
He has this uncanny ability to lose balls in dangerous areas or just any area for that matter. So play CM? HA! that will be the day!
‘Only 22’ really tired of this excuse. At this day and age if you’re good enough you’re old enough.
He is not a kid anymore, he has to take more responsibility on the pitch (like not give away ball) and things will come together for him.
Though I think everyone would agree with the ‘if you’re good enough you’re old enough’ mantra, it shouldn’t also be used as a stick with which to beat those who are old enough but aren’t yet good enough. Players develop at different rates, not everyone can be a Cesc. It’s just a case of how long we can afford to wait for the Ox to come good- if indeed it does happen. Shame as I really thought this was going to be his breakthrough year, as did many. I do really think all it needs is for him to come… Read more »
They are now as we speak discussing wether to sack Maureen or refer him to a psychotherapist to cure his wengerphilia
Please don’t sack the specious one, redundancy gods. We’ve been waiting for this moment,
like Phil Collins, all of our lives.
I wouldn’t mind seeing him get a shot at central striker, if Walcott can play there why couldn’t Chamberlin? I think too often players are fixed in only certain positions. I know we’ve got options there now with Giroud and Walcott both healthy, but Chamberlin is struggling on the wing and certainly would have similar issues in central midfield (esp with his penchant for turning the ball over now), but at striker he could use his dribbling ability to really have a go at the central defenders and also has a good shot with both feet, just doesn’t get in… Read more »
Much like Wilshere injuries are killing him of building momentum and consistency in his game, he looks absolutely devoid of confidence right now. He definitely needs to simplify his game and rebuild slowly, right now far too many errors in his game and not enough end product, Campbell currently the best option from an offensive and defensive point of view.
I love the Ox though and he can be incredibly exciting and explosive when on form, I’m really hoping he stays fit and gets his career back on track
Off topic but I just heard a news reporter saying “Jose embodies Chelsea’s current personality,”….. exactly right…Cunts!
Santi is always around the ball, can dribble in traffic, and is a possession man in the middle. He is the ideal Arsenal central midfielder. Ox has none of these qualities.
Give the Ox time and be patient. He’ll come good. I’d say at the moment there is not much he can do to improve his form himself. He’ll just have to keep on trying, whenever he plays. Sticking him into the middle would be good to just change his outlook on the game a bit and to give him confidence. It would be something different to try, wake him up a bit – plus versatilty is never a bad thing. Dunno if I’d put him in the starting line-up vs City at the moment, though.
In my opinion the most important aspect of playing in central midfield is understanding of the game and decision making. There are so many examples of players who arent “exceptionally skilled” at passing/crossing/ or dribbling but have made a great impact on their team- Le Coq is one. He’s brilliant because he understands the game and makes decisions really quickly. I’m not sure the OX can do that just yet. He needs to play a bit more wherever he gets the chance (out wide right now), and then think about the CM role.
Maybe the Ox should be given the role of central play maker. At least that was the role in the League Cup when he came off injured.
Close control is his asset particular for a young English lad His decision making is the issue and that comes with experience. Most of the problems stem from him trying to play out from the back somewhat naively. Otherwise he is the player that has benefited the most from exposure to Alexis. I mentioned this before that there is a fundamental difference between the young players developing now and back during the Denilson era Wenger has ensured an experience player per every position to chaperone the younger lads and that is why we see success in Bellerin, Coquelin now Campbell… Read more »