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Unwell, fatigued and out of position. Not exactly what you would call an ideal set of circumstances for a 18-year-old taking to the field in a Champions League tie with European giants AC Milan. Yet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain overcame these conditions, playing an instrumental role in Arsenal’s valiant defeat.
The man signed from Southampton for £12 million last summer has been a big hit amongst Gunners fans during his limited playing time so far this term, with his all action style winning over those who saw his signing as unnecessary. Although, when it comes to talented players who operate from wide positions, Arsenal are not exactly short on numbers, Oxlade-Chamberlain offers something completely different from the weapons already in Wenger’s armoury.
Many have drawn all too easy comparisons between Chamberlain and team-mate Theo Walcott, with both operating from the wing, processing lethal pace and hailing from the Southampton youth set-up, yet ‘the Ox’ is a completely different prospect, dare I say it, having more in common with Wayne Rooney. When Rooney broke onto the domestic scene in 2002, many were praising his strength on the ball and his tenacity, and watching Chamberlain against Milan there were glimpses of a player in a similar mould. Whereas Walcott drifts in an out of games, going from the sublime to the ridiculous far too frequently, Chamberlain is constantly in the action, hustling opponents and involving himself in everything positive about the team.
It’s come as a slight surprise to most just how quickly the teenager has settled into Premier League life, having made fewer than 40 appearances for Southampton at League One level. In no way is the Football League an easy prospect, but we so often see players the move up the domestic ladder and fail to make an impact. This is not something that has affected the former Saints man, who has rarely looked phased, despite now playing for one of England’s biggest club sides.
Pace and power are all well and good, but they dot always make a top class footballer, intelligence and awareness are even more important on the field of play, and again Chamberlain possess these traits. When you consider the fact that football is woven into his family life, as the son of former England international Mark Chamberlain, the source of his abundant talent becomes a little clearer. Chamberlain’s ability to read the game, and know his next move may be a natural talent; however the influence of such skill and experience from a young age could only work as an advantage, developing his football brain early on.
With Arsenal now entering a crucial period of their season, the influence of Oxlade-Chamberlain could become even greater at the Emirates Stadium. Already a fan favourite, and with one eye on a spot in England’s EURO 2012 squad, we could be seeing a lot more of the teenage sensation.
