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Arsene Wenger likens Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's 'natural' performances to early Wayne Rooney and Cesc Fabregas displays
Emirates boss hints the 18-year-old could play behind Robin van Persie in future games but is wary of overworking the winger in his first season at the club
5 Feb 2012 23:18:00
By Chris Davie
Getty Images
Arsene Wenger has compared Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's early performances at Arsenal to those of Wayne Rooney's and Cesc Fabregas' at the start of their careers.
The Frenchman's assessment comes after the 18-year-old netted two goals during Arsenal's 7-1 demolition of Blackburn Rovers on Saturday at the Emirates.
The winger, who signed from Southampton last August, impressed before being substituted against Manchester United last month and has since started all three of Arsenal's Premier League games.
Wenger also believes Oxlade-Chamberlain has the potential required to play behind Robin van Persie in Arsenal's attack.
"He can go right and left and he is the kind of guy who feels comfortable on the football pitch, not nervous. I feel that is always a brand of top players. They just play," said Wenger.
"When you saw Rooney start he played like it was natural, the same with Fabregas. They are happy on the football pitch and comfortable.
"I feel Oxlade-Chamberlain could play central midfield, he could play second striker because he has something that is exceptional, he has a short back-lift and so when he has a shot on goal it's difficult to block. "
Wenger admits he is cautious about overplaying Oxlade-Chamberlain, likening his situation to that of Jack Wilshere's last term, and feels he needs to gradually integrate the midfielder into first-team life at the club.
"At the start of the season you think 'I will play him 20 games, maybe 25', that’s what happened to us last year with Wilshire.
"When they deliver a performance they play 45 [matches] and then they play for the national team and then they get injured.
"It's about trying to find the right balance between having confidence and not being too early and too much under pressure."
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The Frenchman's assessment comes after the 18-year-old netted two goals during Arsenal's 7-1 demolition of Blackburn Rovers on Saturday at the Emirates.
The winger, who signed from Southampton last August, impressed before being substituted against Manchester United last month and has since started all three of Arsenal's Premier League games.
Wenger also believes Oxlade-Chamberlain has the potential required to play behind Robin van Persie in Arsenal's attack.
"He can go right and left and he is the kind of guy who feels comfortable on the football pitch, not nervous. I feel that is always a brand of top players. They just play," said Wenger.
"When you saw Rooney start he played like it was natural, the same with Fabregas. They are happy on the football pitch and comfortable.
"I feel Oxlade-Chamberlain could play central midfield, he could play second striker because he has something that is exceptional, he has a short back-lift and so when he has a shot on goal it's difficult to block. "
Wenger admits he is cautious about overplaying Oxlade-Chamberlain, likening his situation to that of Jack Wilshere's last term, and feels he needs to gradually integrate the midfielder into first-team life at the club.
"At the start of the season you think 'I will play him 20 games, maybe 25', that’s what happened to us last year with Wilshire.
"When they deliver a performance they play 45 [matches] and then they play for the national team and then they get injured.
"It's about trying to find the right balance between having confidence and not being too early and too much under pressure."
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Live!
England 1-0 Belgium, Netherlands 4-0 Northern Ireland - follow all the international action LIVE! ahead of Euro 2012
With countries across the continent gearing up for their final warm-up games ahead of Euro 2012, join us for all the action from Saturday's friendlies. Get in touch with us via Twitter with your reaction.
Hosted by Joe Doyle
Hosted by Joe Doyle
20:14 BST
The general consensus, then, is that Danny Welbeck should be starting up front against France with Ashley Young supporting him. How about Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain? Did he do enough to earn a starting role at Euro 2012?
20:06 BST
So, that game gave a few players a chance to impress for England. Who did/didn't? Will Welbeck start against France? Or Carroll? Or Defoe?!
19:59 BST
Unfortunately for Northern Ireland, they are trailing the Netherlands 4-0 at half-time. Looks like that one's all sewn up then.
19:54 BST
We're still getting plenty of Hazard chat on Twitter. A few are now saying that he's not worth the hype, others saying he was brilliant(!?) and others (which I agree with), saying he created much of his own hype. What do you think? Get involved!
19:46 BST
Joe Hart has also been giving his thoughts after the Belgium game: "It was a really tough game, a good run out. I thought we played well, [but] we were a little bit bitty at times.
"But, we came through. Obviously there were a lot of changes so it's good to get the result.
"Belgium are a very, very strong side who are going to be really good in the future. Vincent [Kompany] told me about them and said that they were coming good and I totally agree with him."
"But, we came through. Obviously there were a lot of changes so it's good to get the result.
"Belgium are a very, very strong side who are going to be really good in the future. Vincent [Kompany] told me about them and said that they were coming good and I totally agree with him."
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