Oxlade-Chamberlain happy with bit-part role for Arsenal

05/02/2013 7:00:00 AM

The 19-year-old has struggled to live up to the hype of an impressive debut year this term, but is not looking for a short-term move away and will wait for his chance

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain insists he is happy to wait for his chance in the Arsenal first team after struggling for form his season.

The 19-year-old enjoyed an outstanding debut year at the Emirates Stadium, culminating in a call-up to Roy Hodgson’s England squad for Euro 2012.

And, after finding a run in the first team harder to come by this season, Oxlade-Chamberlain is focused on impressing Arsene Wenger when handed an opportunity.

"I’m only 19 years of age and I’m at Arsenal,” the former Southampton man told Arsenal’s official website.

"I know I’ve got to bide my time, and maybe this is one of those times. Just to get a start was really important to me, and I know that when I get the opportunity, I’ve got to make sure I try and take it.

“It’s always nice for the confidence when you get a run of games. I had a few a couple of weeks ago, I think I played maybe five or six games on the spin and that was nice. I’ve got to expect to sometimes be pulled out because we’ve got so many talented players at this football club.  

"Everybody wants to play so you’ve got to take being taken out of the team sometimes, let someone else have a go and make sure you’re ready to come off the bench and affect the games and help the team.

"I can remember last season, Robin van Persie came and spoke to me. He said ‘When I was first at the Club, I didn’t start, the boss used to take me in and out’. Look at the season he had last season, he was a key player. It was the same with Theo. You’ve got to bide your time, especially when you’re young."