11v11 blog

Release the Ox!

Our Premier League performance of the week goes to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for his superlative performance against Blackburn Rovers.

Despite a 7-1 victory, another Robin Van Persie hat-trick and Thierry Henry’s first Premier League goal back in Arsenal colours, it was the performance of the former Southampton youngster that caught most eyes and many of the headlines

With his first goals in the competition, the son of ex-England winger Mark Chamberlain became the second youngest goalscorer for Arsenal in the Premier League at 18 years and 173 days behind Cesc Fabregas (17 years, 113 days).

AOC also become the youngest player to score two goals in a Premier League game since Wayne Rooney (18 years and 120 days) for Everton at Southampton in February 2004.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger delighted in Alex’s innocent exuberance: “I feel that is always a brand of top players. They just play.
“When you saw Wayne Rooney start he played like it was natural, the same with Cesc Fabregas. They are happy on the football pitch and comfortable.
“When he came on at Swansea I felt ‘oomph’. He had an impact straight away and in a very difficult game he was mature. I thought he had made a big improvement there.”

Thankfully, Alex’s feet appear to remain firmly on the ground:
“I’m one of the least experienced players in the Arsenal squad so any player who gives me a comment always helps me, whether it is positive or constructive criticism.
“I listen to everybody. People like Thierry and Robin who score goals and are attacking players like myself, you can always learn a lot from them. That’s all I do, I listen and learn.”

Clearly Alex should be called in to England squad for Euro 2012.