Football
Mattias Karen, Arsenal correspondent 7y

Confident Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain following Theo Walcott's path - Wenger

LONDON -- Arsene Wenger says a resurgent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is emulating Theo Walcott after the midfielder netted a brace to send Arsenal through to the EFL Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Oxlade-Chamberlain scored once in each half in the 2-0 win over Championship side Reading, making it three goals in his past two starts after also netting in the 6-0 Champions League win over Ludogorets on Wednesday.

The winger has struggled to lock down a starting spot in the Premier League this season, but Wenger said he is showing more confidence in his finishing.

"Before sometimes you felt he acted in front of goal like he didn't deserve to score. And now I think he has added some belief to his finishing," Wenger said.

"Now you have hope every time he has the ball that something can happen. He is of course powerful, but he finishes well. He has added that to his game. Certainly that's linked with confidence and work in training as well."

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been kept out of the side in part because of Walcott's strong form this season, with the England forward looking rejuvenated after moving back to the right wing. But Wenger said Walcott's success is only spurring Oxlade-Chamberlain on to have a similar impact.

"He's following Walcott, in the same way," Wenger said. "They are lifting each other."

At 23, Oxlade-Chamberlain is now at an age where Wenger says he will become "a football player who is the finished article." He was one of the most experienced Arsenal players on the pitch Tuesday, with Wenger resting most of his regular starters in the competition to blood some of his youngsters.

Asked to pinpoint the change in Oxlade-Chamberlain this season, Wenger said: "The quality of his concentration and his focus is sharper and more determined. He has worked a lot mentally to be really focused, and it comes out every day in training and now it's starting to come out in the games."

Wenger started two teenagers in Jeff Reine-Adelaide and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, while Carl Jenkinson made his first Arsenal appearance in more than two years. It was Jenkinson's first game since tearing knee ligaments in January while on loan at West Ham.

Striker Olivier Giroud also came on in the second half after recovering from a toe injury that has kept him out since September.

Wenger also praised Alex Iwobi after playing the 20-year-old as a central playmaker -- rather than his usual place on the wing -- but said the academy product still gets "nervous" when he has a chance to score. He set up a handful of chances for his teammates in the first 25 minutes on Tuesday but is still looking for his first goal of the season.

"He's not a typical winger. I think he can play in that [ No. 10] role," Wenger said. "He turns the game forward, he passes the ball through the lines very well, he has a final ball in him. I think he has it all in the locker to pass and give the final ball.

"What you want from him now is the finishing. That is still a little part that is missing in his game. I think he is too nervous at the moment when he has the possibility to finish."

^ Back to Top ^