Nicosia Gooner
09-04-2014, 12:53 PM
http://sport.bt.com/sportfootball/football/its-crunch-time-f or-oxladechamberlain-S11363930659027 (http://sport.bt.com/sportfootball/football/its-crunch-time-for-oxladechamberlain-S11363930659027)
By Adrian Clarke
Last updated: 04 September 2014, 13:19 BST
Print this story
If there’s a young footballer out there that’s more switched on off the pitch than Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, I’m yet to find him.
Completely at ease with his high-profile and pressured role, the 21-year-old is bright, charismatic and refreshingly comfortable in the spotlight. In a profession that more or less encourages its star turns to portray themselves as soporific, bland, opinion-less instruments, his is a personality that sparkles.
It’s little wonder media outlets and football’s corporate PR machines can’t get enough of ‘The Ox’.
The Arsenal and England star’s appeal isn’t solely based on his charm of course. He’s a hell of a talent too.
Arsene Wenger saw fit to pay 12 million pounds for him just as soon as he was out of short trousers because he’s quick, strong, naturally gifted and versatile enough to excel in several positions.
Roy Hodgson felt so confident in the then-18-year-old’s ability that he played him at ‘10’ against France in the opening game of Euro 2012.
The kid can play.
But where does potential end, and fulfillment start to become expected?
In Oxlade-Chamberlain’s case that important crossroads must surely be on the horizon…
As good as he is (and I do think he’s excellent) this is a player that must start delivering more end product.
His first-half performance last night for England was in many ways a microcosm of where his game is at right now. His power and pace caught the eye, he got himself into great positions, drew fouls cleverly, and delivered a stream of crosses from the flank.
Yet none of it really came to anything. There were no shots, no unplayable deliveries, no match-defining moments.
It should be noted few players havesuffered more with injuries in recent seasons, and that many of his appearances at club level have come as a substitute. He’s also been constantly switched from one position to another along the way.
Yet the facts don’t lie.
In 85 first team appearances for the Gunners he has scored nine goals.
In 58 Premier League appearances he has netted five times, laying on six assists.
In order to keep the likes of Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski, Tomas Rosicky, Joel Campbell, Jack Wilshere or Aaron Ramsey out of the Arsenal side, those numbers will have to improve. Bursts of excitement aren’t going to be enough.
He needs to make the difference, and he needs to make it more often.
Like Raheem Sterling has done at Liverpool, the Gunners star must become indispensible; too influential to leave out. And he’s capable.
But until this happens, Arsene Wenger will almost certainly pick others ahead of him, leaving The Ox’s undoubted promise to stall.
This really is a crucial season for the 21-year-old, and he has to grasp the opportunities he receives.
Off the field I’ve no doubts he’ll continue to be a shining light, but on it, it’s time Oxlade-Chamberlain flicked the switch and accelerated his progress beyond mere potential.
By Adrian Clarke
Last updated: 04 September 2014, 13:19 BST
Print this story
If there’s a young footballer out there that’s more switched on off the pitch than Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, I’m yet to find him.
Completely at ease with his high-profile and pressured role, the 21-year-old is bright, charismatic and refreshingly comfortable in the spotlight. In a profession that more or less encourages its star turns to portray themselves as soporific, bland, opinion-less instruments, his is a personality that sparkles.
It’s little wonder media outlets and football’s corporate PR machines can’t get enough of ‘The Ox’.
The Arsenal and England star’s appeal isn’t solely based on his charm of course. He’s a hell of a talent too.
Arsene Wenger saw fit to pay 12 million pounds for him just as soon as he was out of short trousers because he’s quick, strong, naturally gifted and versatile enough to excel in several positions.
Roy Hodgson felt so confident in the then-18-year-old’s ability that he played him at ‘10’ against France in the opening game of Euro 2012.
The kid can play.
But where does potential end, and fulfillment start to become expected?
In Oxlade-Chamberlain’s case that important crossroads must surely be on the horizon…
As good as he is (and I do think he’s excellent) this is a player that must start delivering more end product.
His first-half performance last night for England was in many ways a microcosm of where his game is at right now. His power and pace caught the eye, he got himself into great positions, drew fouls cleverly, and delivered a stream of crosses from the flank.
Yet none of it really came to anything. There were no shots, no unplayable deliveries, no match-defining moments.
It should be noted few players havesuffered more with injuries in recent seasons, and that many of his appearances at club level have come as a substitute. He’s also been constantly switched from one position to another along the way.
Yet the facts don’t lie.
In 85 first team appearances for the Gunners he has scored nine goals.
In 58 Premier League appearances he has netted five times, laying on six assists.
In order to keep the likes of Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski, Tomas Rosicky, Joel Campbell, Jack Wilshere or Aaron Ramsey out of the Arsenal side, those numbers will have to improve. Bursts of excitement aren’t going to be enough.
He needs to make the difference, and he needs to make it more often.
Like Raheem Sterling has done at Liverpool, the Gunners star must become indispensible; too influential to leave out. And he’s capable.
But until this happens, Arsene Wenger will almost certainly pick others ahead of him, leaving The Ox’s undoubted promise to stall.
This really is a crucial season for the 21-year-old, and he has to grasp the opportunities he receives.
Off the field I’ve no doubts he’ll continue to be a shining light, but on it, it’s time Oxlade-Chamberlain flicked the switch and accelerated his progress beyond mere potential.