Oxlade-Chamberlain or Aaron Ramsey - Arsenal's latest dilemma

26 August 2015 09:32

Alistair Campbell would be proud of some of the spin being thrown into the mix when it comes to assessing Arsenal’s performances so far this season. The vast majority has not been too positive; 1 win 3 does not signal title aspirations, even if it is so early on in the season.

Against West Ham the Gunners looked sluggish and devoid of ideas. Palace were unlucky not to get something against Arsene’s men, and despite a much better performance against Liverpool in the second half, let’s be honest the first half was very painful viewing for Arsenal fans. Add to this the fact that Arsenal have failed to score in 5 of their last 6 home games and the heat is slowly but surely being turned up on Arsene Wenger. Tactically questions are also being asked; questions like why does Arsene wait so long to bring on a substitute? Or why did he not exploit Tomkins who was played out of position in the West Ham game, or why he left it so late to bring on the Ox and Theo against an 18-year-old fullback in Joe Gomez?

The club has a plethora of talent in midfield but there is a lack of steel. There is no doubting the contribution of Aaron Ramsey who is an action-packed midfielder who loves to get forward and where possible get on the score-sheet. Indeed he was unlucky to have his effort ruled offside against Liverpool. He has averaged 3 shots in each of his 3 games and has no assists. The Ox has not got the defensive nouse that Ramsey possesses and this was evidenced by his error in the opening game against West Ham for their second goal. However, his pace and strength is frightening. He has an eye for goal, as he showed in the Community Shield with the brilliant winner against Chelsea. When he came on as a sub late in the Liverpool game he had an instant impact almost creating the winning goal. WhoScored.com is a great website offering analysis on both Aaron and The Ox and is definitely worth checking out.

Despite Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s defensive game not being as good as Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal fans want to see entertainment. They want to see goals and games being won in the Arsenal way. Maybe, just maybe it is time to give the Ox a proper run in the team ahead of Ramsey. I feel a bit sorry for Ramsey as he has been played out wide, which is not his ideal position and Arsene has a habit of playing players out of position. Many argue that this is how he ruined Thomas Vermaelen who never recovered after the mauling he received from Bayern in the Champions League. Anyway I digress. So who is it for you? Should Arsene Wenger stick with Aaron Ramsey or should he give the Ox a proper run in the team? Or do you think there is room for both of them?

For me it is time for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to be given that opportunity to show his brilliant potential.

Article author Fevzi Hussein can be followed on Twitter @fevzihussein.

Source: DSG