I’m getting sick of Arsenal wonder-kids. Honestly, do they factory produce football talent?! Ramsey, Wilshire, Coquelin, Walcott, the list seems never ending. Arsene and his eye for talent… Anyway, moving right along... Oxlade-Chamberlain came to prominence during his tenure with Southampton, rising through their prestigious youth academy. (Other players you may know who graduated out of the Saints Academy are Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, Leon Best — you know, small stuff.) He made his first team debut at 16 years and 199 days old. Oh, and by the way, that made him the second youngest player in Southampton history to play a first team game — the first was Theo Walcott. He signed his first pro contract a couple of days after turning 17 and went on to make 36 appearances for the Saints scoring nine times. A couple of days short of his 18th birthday, Oxlade-Chamberlain signed for Arsenal in a deal worth £12 million. He started slow with the Gunners, largely because Wenger made it that way, but is now integral to their success. In the last three games Arsenal has played, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been the best player on the field for the Gunners. Yes, even outshining the mercurial Robin van Persie. When Oxlade-Chamberlain is on the pitch the whole team works better. On top of his natural leadership skills, he is wickedly talented. Versatility is his middle name and Alex can play anywhere in an attacking midfield position. He can cross, dribble, pass and score (two goals against Blackburn, taken in fine style, I must say). He is on his way to being a complete midfield package. Prediction time again: next season he’s Arsenal’s MVP. Already more valuable than Walcott, Gervinho (don’t get me started on him), Rosicky and pretty much anyone else playing in an attacking role, Oxlade-Chamberlain is destined for greatness.
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Prospects Corner: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
I’m getting sick of Arsenal wonder-kids. Honestly, do they factory produce football talent?! Ramsey, Wilshire, Coquelin, Walcott, the list seems never ending. Arsene and his eye for talent… Anyway, moving right along... Oxlade-Chamberlain came to prominence during his tenure with Southampton, rising through their prestigious youth academy. (Other players you may know who graduated out of the Saints Academy are Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, Leon Best — you know, small stuff.) He made his first team debut at 16 years and 199 days old. Oh, and by the way, that made him the second youngest player in Southampton history to play a first team game — the first was Theo Walcott. He signed his first pro contract a couple of days after turning 17 and went on to make 36 appearances for the Saints scoring nine times. A couple of days short of his 18th birthday, Oxlade-Chamberlain signed for Arsenal in a deal worth £12 million. He started slow with the Gunners, largely because Wenger made it that way, but is now integral to their success. In the last three games Arsenal has played, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been the best player on the field for the Gunners. Yes, even outshining the mercurial Robin van Persie. When Oxlade-Chamberlain is on the pitch the whole team works better. On top of his natural leadership skills, he is wickedly talented. Versatility is his middle name and Alex can play anywhere in an attacking midfield position. He can cross, dribble, pass and score (two goals against Blackburn, taken in fine style, I must say). He is on his way to being a complete midfield package. Prediction time again: next season he’s Arsenal’s MVP. Already more valuable than Walcott, Gervinho (don’t get me started on him), Rosicky and pretty much anyone else playing in an attacking role, Oxlade-Chamberlain is destined for greatness.
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