Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says his upturn in form in front of goal is down to him learning to play more like a forward and less like an orthodox midfielder.
The England international has hit the back of the net six times in 27 appearances this season; his best tally in a single campaign since joining the Gunners in 2011.
Reflecting on why he’s proving more of a handful for defenders, the 23-year-old admitted that he’s been working hard on resisting the temptation to drop deep when Arsenal are in possession.
“When you’re playing in a team like Arsenal and there are talented players all over the pitch, you just have to rely on them to find you when you make runs,” the Ox told the Arsenal Magazine.
“In the past maybe where I’ve been more of a midfielder than a forward, I was more used to coming to the ball and wanting to get the ball, so I was picking up the ball maybe in deeper positions and not in behind the defence, which is obviously where you’re the biggest threat.
“This year I’ve just worked mostly on making runs in behind and just trusting the boys to find you with balls over the top. That’s when you unlock them and when you’re most dangerous so I think for me personally, what I’ve worked on the most this season is not coming towards the ball as much.
“That wasn’t always a natural part of my game. As I said, being more of a midfielder I was always more lingering on the edge of the box for the ball to come back out or being the person that’s crossing the ball, so I’ve tried to work on getting into more dangerous positions and scoring more goals this year.”
In addition to his goal tally, the Ox also has five assists to his name in all competitions, third in the squad behind Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.
At a time when he’s looking to earn himself a new deal at the Emirates – his current contract ends in the summer of 2018 – the improved efficiency in the final third is certainly welcome.
I just love the way the Ox runs at players looking to beat them one-on-one. He’s (almost) as good as Sanchez at it!
I sure hope he signs an extension because he’s coming into his prime years.
COYG!
I hope he can get a good run of games for us this season because his game doesn’t look natural. It’s almost as if before he gets the ball he’s already decided what he’s going to do, and ends up forcing it or trying to do too much. If the ox can stay injury free till the end of the season I’m sure he’ll have a successful season for us and hopefully kick on to become “the player his talent deserves” as the boss loves saying!
There was a young man named The Ox, who’s suffered from mental blocks, what he lacks at the back, he makes up in attack, now he’s making more runs in the box
…..and getting great service from le coq!!! 😉
This is brilliant!!
If the media are to be believed, there has not been much of a talk about a extension by the club. Which will explain the agent planting rumours about other clubs being interested in the Ox.
I hope it’s not a case of Gnabry, that he has a florist and leaves us on the cheap.
I hope he stays and establishes himself in the starting XI. Although Marriner will hope either Gibbs or Ox moves on!
Harsh on florists.
Ox brings a lot of excitement to the team when he’s playing well. The way he can go around defenders, especially in the box is electrifying.
I like him. ?
This is funny because its a play on “fox in the box”
Yea…I’d credit his improving goal tally due to him Perrie Edwards.
Him and Iwobi are going to be excellent for us.
They’re slightly different.
Ox is more speed and power. Iwobi is more about control and strength. Different tools again to break down defenses from wide areas. Both have excellent close control.
Again, they will need a bit of consistency but that should come with more games.
both can play in the same team. iwobi in left and goalscoring ox on the right with sanchez as no10 along with giroud can be devastating
Well said, Kuoran Gibbois
Arseblog folks. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. I know we’re not huge fans of Emmanuel here, but I came across this and thought it was pretty good. A nice little take on the other side of football and why we all love it, or so I think anyway.. https://www.balls.ie/football/emmanuel-adebayor-357016
Give me Ox over Iwobi starting any day. It’s about creating something out of nothing and Ox can do that.
To be fair to Iwobi, he did create two own goals out of nothing, so give the lad some break…
I don’t think you quite understand the meaning of creativity. I would say Iwobi is one of our most creative players. The way he seamlessly fits in next to Ozil and Sanchez is a testament to his abilities. Whenever he is on the ball he finds an option, or creates one.
The Ox is more about sheer force and speed.
They have different and complementary qualities, it’s not “either…or”. More like “both…and”.
frankly i always thought about what ox is saying right now. for a player with less no of goals he is an excellent finisher. you need only look at the goals he scored to know that , the trick to score more goals is to be in the right position at the right time. walcot who is half the player ox is ,learned about this a long time ago , ramsey and dele alli are masters at this. glad he finally found his way. i think ox will eventually replace walcot on the right wing .
Who is Dele Alli? To hell with him and his team. This is Arsenal our players are Superior. So no comparism with any spurfs players or else!!!!!. Thank you
Good guy, good footballer, but he is not at the level to win you the league.
I know he has had bad luck with injuries, but when he is given a chance to prove himself, he has been Extremely inconsistent!! 15-20 million to West Ham/everton would be a good deal for us.
He’s a classic case of a physical marvel who just can’t rely on that power/speed/running at defenders as much against the highest level. It’s almost as if his gifts have worked against him, hindered his development, because at youth level he could just dominate. And it is very hard to moderate that, to pick your moments. Then his confidence is damaged. If his tactical thinking/football IQ continue to improve, the sky’s the limit, along the lines of this season, he’s really could be a world class winger. We should not let him go.
What upturn in form? Ox is an average footballer. Prove otherwise.
Ox is a very much catch 22 player in the arsenal squad . Everyone saying he needs a run in the team is correct , but you’ve got to show u deserve it . He has good stats so far this season , but needs to improve his whole game. For me he lacks the football brain , when to hang out wide , when to cross early , when to run at a player. I know he’s still learning , but consistent game changers/ preformers are what we need to challenge . Not many games where u think ox… Read more »
I know exactly what you mean… If you aren’t Alexis Sanchez that’s only because you don’t try hard enough to be Alexis Sanchez. Quite right. Only one player in our squad works hard enough to be called Alexis Sanchez. The rest are wasters and scoundrels stealing a living.