I think understandably a lot of Arsenal forgot about Chamberlain for most of this season because of his injury and forgot about the sort of talent he has. Also by his own admission, Chamberlain had a disappointing 2012-13 season and did not kick on from his promising first season. When we signed him, we were told about his talents, and they were even claims that he was just as talented as Bale from some Saints fans. The thing about Chamberlain is that he is fast, strong and has the skills to match. Also, although not at Cazorla's level, he can be excellent with both feet. Wenger seems him as CM and you can see why. Having a CM, with that amount of pace and power would scare the living day lights out of other midfield's, because he can just burst past people at will. Hopefully, his two goals yesterday can give him the confidence to make a really significant contribution to our season, and even though he played well enough in CM, I think for the rest of season, he has to do a job in the wide areas. With Walcott out, him and Gnabry are our only two players with any real pace, so it's really important that he manages to keep himself fit. It's amazing how a player that was hardly mentioned or talked about in the first part of the season can suddenly become an important and key player in the second. That's how fast things change in football.
It all depends though, if he falls into obscurity again because of average performances, he will be forgotten about again and wouldn't be deemed that important to the first team, if he keeps up how he played VS C. Palace, then it's a different story. He needs to be producing more such performances week in week out, and against better teams too.
He had a brilliant pre-season and looked like he was going to have a breakthrough season this time around. His injury came at a really bad time for him, but hopefully it looks like he might be able to kick on from where he left of at the beginning of the season. He's undoubtedly a massive talent and being able to play with both feet gives him a big advantage, especially if he wants to play in CM. What I like about Ox is that he's got the desire to get forward and affect the game, he showed last night that he's got a good touch in front of goal too and he has got a rasping shot on him. To early to tell at the moment how good he'll go on to be, but all the ingredients are there and he's in the right place to showcase them. Very exciting prospect and the rest of this season could be a real launchpad for him.
Exactly Piskie. This is his time really to play regularly and make himself indispensable to the team. He could really make a difference on the run in, especially as he's fresh. His pace can be a huge weapon.
Hopefully Ox coming back can be the silver lining to our midfield injury worries. Every season there is a little twist and one player gets given a chance to prove himself. I hope like you that he makes himself indispensable because he's a really exciting player to have in the team.
As I said on the other thread I still see him as a wide player. Not to say he can't play down the middle but for me he seems better suited to wide positions. Also looking at the ages of Wilshere, Ramsey and now Zelalem. (Also Crowley pushing through the tanks) I think Oxo will get more opportunities out wide.
I feel a bit conflicted about him tbh. When we signed him I was oddly optimistic despite most Gooners going ape-sh*t about signing another yoof when we needed a major over-hauling (which we eventually did in fairness). Still, my early optimism allowed me to be unbearably smug when he started looking really damn good only to feel cheated when he had (imo) a really poor 2012-13. I felt he'd let the fame and hype get to him which I was hoping he'd rise above. Consequently I'm very guarded with him at the moment. Pre-season I tend to ignore as you're invariably playing pants teams and everyone is at different levels of fitness. Also, as I said in another thread, I thought he was really poor first half against Palace. However, what a difference a goal makes! You could see his confidence building all the time and it was a super effort for the second. You've got to hope he can kick-start from here onwards. He has all the 'ingredients' to be a top player, it's whether he has the mentality to go with it. As everyone says this is his opportunity to shine. At least the next few games are against easy opposition...
