2. Oxlade-Chamberlain is ready for his breakout season
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was the difference between Arsenal and Chelsea on Sunday, scoring the only goal of the game when he cut in from the right hand side to hammer in an unstoppable shot past Thibaut Courtois in the 24th minute. By scoring the winner, Chamberlain not only dispelled the demons from his horror performance during Chelsea’s 6-0 thumping of the Gunners two years ago, but also added weight to the burgeoning idea that he deserves a starting role during the 2015/2016 season. Since signing from Southampton for £15 million four years ago, ‘the Ox’ has shown flashes of his extremely high potential, but injury problems have meant he has failed to consistently hold down a first team berth. This year, health providing, Chamberlain must be handed a place on the right of Arsenal’s midfield. Not in central midfield, as has previously been suggested, where Arsenal are blessed with a number of other options, but on the wing is Ox’s best position. Chamberlain possesses in spades all of the most important qualities for a winger in the modern game, with pace, strength, shooting, dribbling and a desire to track giving him the potential to be one of the most explosive players in the league. Inexperience can no longer be an excuse, as the Ox has now played over 100 games for Arsenal at the highest level, testing his talents against the best Europe has to offer. The combination of Alexis and Oxlade-Chamberlain will make Arsenal a lethal counter-attacking force, and it is a role that Chamberlain is far more suited too than Özil, Ramsey, Wilshere or Santi Cazorla, excellent playmakers and visionaries who should all compete for central roles. After the game the Ox said he is targeting a goal or an assist during every game, saying that that ‘every time I’m on the pitch it is important that I try and contribute in some way’ and while such a target sets the bar for success extremely high, it is a good sign that the England international is displaying such great ambition, something that should reflected around the rest of the club as Arsenal pursue a fourth Premier League title.