Topic: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

[Charles Foster Kane]

Why's this moved here?

Indeed strange. Sure there is a reason though.

[Wool]

Reporter: How do you feel about the next game?

Oxlade-Chamberlain: We beat Arsenal 4-0 in the previous game, I think we're in good form.

Lmao. Might be a fake quote, but I hope it's legit

[Spezialo]

Boss quote. Seems like a good lad. I think he will be good with us. He'll 'get' what the team and fans are about right away, if he does not already. What an opportunity for him.

[BabuYagu]

So you'd rather compare AOC to a midfielder rather than my example of Sterling who's a winger, the same as AOC?Was he 17/18 then? Let's make this more simple, what are AOC stats from 17-22 which is your age bracket, compared to Sterling's? As I've said, they play the same position, came through about the same age so it's a suitable comparison.

Why do we start comparing players at 17? Do we use Firmino's stats as any sort of inclusive indicator of what we expect of him in 2017/18?

[amirani]

Oxlade-Chamberlain: "We're in good form going into the Man City game after beating Arsenal 4-0 last week."

Haha Jamie retweeted this as well. top bantz

[PoetryInMotion96]

Come up with this in the car on the way home

To the tune of come feel the noise

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Left Arsenal, Don't Blame Him
He Loves the Kop, He Loves the Kop.

Someone tweak that and I think it could work [emoji23][emoji23]

[BabuYagu]

Come up with this in the car on the way home

To the tune of come feel the noise

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Left Arsenal, Don't Blame Him
He Loves the Kop, He Loves the Kop.

Someone tweak that and I think it could work [emoji23][emoji23]

Would like to add something about Arsenal shirts not fitting him. Or having a tantrum against Bayern

[PoetryInMotion96]

Would like to add something about Arsenal shirts not fitting him. Or having a tantrum against Bayern

Love it [emoji23][emoji23]

[Ashburton]

That's ice cold and one of the funniest things I've heard a player say. 

The Arse fans are going to lose it when they hear this.  Should be good for a few surly Piers Moron tweets.

Ox has always been good banter.  I don't mind whatsoever, he rips it out of everyone whether teammates or fans.

[Goalposts for Jumpers]

Think he'll be vying with Trent Alexander-Arnold to be one of the biggest names at the club pretty soon. 

Can't be bothered to check if that jokes already been made

[BabuYagu]

Ox has always been good banter.  I don't mind whatsoever, he rips it out of everyone whether teammates or fans.

Out of curiosity - how do Arsenal fans feel about Piers Moron? He is an easy person to dislike, but I'm curious if that perspective changes if he is "one of us" or do Arsenal fans not really care for him either.

[Ashburton]

Out of curiosity - how do Arsenal fans feel about Piers Moron? He is an easy person to dislike, but I'm curious if that perspective changes if he is "one of us" or do Arsenal fans not really care for him either.

Total bottom feeder.  Don't consider him much of a fan, just another aspect of his self-promotion/agitating.

[BabuYagu]

Total bottom feeder.  Don't consider him much of a fan, just another aspect of his self-promotion/agitating.

Very relieved to hear that

It bothers me this man earns money talking about football. How? Why? Who? Probably the least insightful person I've ever seen talk.

[Red an White Tea Party]

Like listening to Eamon Holmes and his expertise.

[thelinnen]

That piece from Carragher on Sky Sports is utterly clueless. Says how he'd be better suited as a backup for Salah or Mane because Wenger didn't rate him as a midfielder, ignoring the fact that Arsenal play 2 deep midfielders. Amazing the shite pundits get paid for saying.

[-Willo-]

That piece from Carragher on Sky Sports is utterly clueless. Says how he'd be better suited as a backup for Salah or Mane because Wenger didn't rate him as a midfielder, ignoring the fact that Arsenal play 2 deep midfielders. Amazing the shite pundits get paid for saying.

Most pundits are fucking clueless, most on this forum know more about footy, we're just not taking as seriously as the likes of Carra because we couldn't kick the round thing as good.

[thelinnen]

Most pundits are fucking clueless, most on this forum know more about footy, we're just not taking as seriously as the likes of Carra because we couldn't kick the round thing as good.

It's incredible really how people in general haven't clocked on to the system we play. Saying stuff like how Firmino isn't good enough to play centre forward as he doesn't score enough goals. We've been playing a false 9 4-3-3 for over a year now.

[-Willo-]

It's incredible really how people in general haven't clocked on to the system we play. Saying stuff like how Firmino isn't good enough to play centre forward as he doesn't score enough goals. We've been playing a false 9 4-3-3 for over a year now.

I know, I'm convinced they don't watch football to be honest.

I mean neither would I if I was a multi-millionaire who worked about 3 hours a week to be fair,

[The Driftwood]

I don't understand why people are getting so triggered by people calling him 'The Ox' the boy even says in an interview that he doesn't mind.

You’ve got a few different names – which nickname do you want to be called from supporters?
Honestly I don’t mind. I think The Ox is one that’s probably here to stay which I quite like, my mum loves it. I was considering binning off the Oxlade part of my name for the first part of my career but The Ox is a good one. I think that one’s here to stay. I hear a lot of Chambo as well which is nice. I don’t mind honestly.

[ryatnalkar]

I know, I'm convinced they don't watch football to be honest.

I mean neither would I if I was a multi-millionaire who worked about 3 hours a week to be fair,

Are you kidding me? I dream of a day when I am a multi- millionaire who works about 3 hours a week. So all I could do rest of my time is watch football....

[BabuYagu]

I don't understand why people are getting so triggered by people calling him 'The Ox' the boy even says in an interview that he doesn't mind.

The Oxygen Chamber?
Oxy-Codone?
The Ox Laid Chamber Maid? (My favourite porno)

[Marty McFly]

Oxide and Neutrino Firmino

[fredfrop]

I'm glad St Babu has given us the word from on high on "The OC", because going on his last two games he's been a bit pants. I'm hoping though, that once he's been DeWengerised, the purity of his precious bodily fluids will become apparent to all.

Some sort of haircut will probably help.

[BabuYagu]

I'm glad St Babu has given us the word from on high on "The OC", because going on his last two games he's been a bit pants. I'm hoping though, that once he's been DeWengerised, the purity of his precious bodily fluids will become apparent to all.

Some sort of haircut will probably help.

Now I am imaging AoC in a wifebeater. Thanks!   

[Nessy76]

I don't understand why people are getting so triggered by people calling him 'The Ox' the boy even says in an interview that he doesn't mind.

It's because they didn't think of it. You won't see the same objections to Firmino being called "Bobby" or Yann Dhanda getting called "Keedoodle".

[BabuYagu]

It's because they didn't think of it. You won't see the same objections to Firmino being called "Bobby" or Yann Dhanda getting called "Keedoodle".

What about me calling him the Oxygen Chamber? 

What about All Sex Panda Man Hold?

[vagabond]

I'm glad St Babu has given us the word from on high on "The OC", because going on his last two games he's been a bit pants. I'm hoping though, that once he's been DeWengerised, the purity of his precious bodily fluids will become apparent to all.

Some sort of haircut will probably help.

I wouldn't trust Southgate to organise a grocery list. It's completely irrelevant how anyone performs in a team he set up.

[BabuYagu]

I wouldn't trust Southgate to organise a grocery list. It's completely irrelevant how anyone performs in a team he set up.

Southgate is the answer to the question:- What if Sherwood just shut up and did his job?

[Rush 82]

I don't understand why people are getting so triggered by people calling him 'The Ox' the boy even says in an interview that he doesn't mind.

Yeah, could be worse...'lexie comes to mind

[hide5seek]

Total bottom feeder.  Don't consider him much of a fan, just another aspect of his self-promotion/agitating.

What do you and your Arsenal supporting mates think of the Ox playing rise?

The stuff I've read about him on forums comes across as if Arsenal fans aren't that bothered about losing him, but most suporters say that when a player jumps ship.

[BeautifulGame91]

Ready for more? Get unlimited access by subscribing for less than £1 a week. 

PREMIER LEAGUE

Was this the week Arsenal lost the plot?

Arsène Wenger’s lack of conviction in the transfer market means he is failing where once he would regularly succeed

Jonathan Northcroft, Football correspondent

September 3 2017, 12:01am, The Sunday Times

[https://www]

Change of heart: Alexis Sanchez was initially not for sale, but then Arsenal accepted a late bid, only to fail to sell himJOHN WALTON

Share

Save

“Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will stay: 100% I expect him to stay. There is no speculation. No matter what happens he will stay.” — Arsène Wenger, July 15, 2017.

We will get to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but first a story about the player who could have made everything so different for ­Arsenal: N’Golo Kante. A friend in France told Arsène Wenger all about Kante when he was in Ligue 2 with Caen.

Wenger dispatched Gilles Grimandi, his chief scout in France, to watch the ­little dynamo but Grimandi was not wowed. Six out of 10. Wenger’s friend persisted and Grimandi was sent to look again, but came back with another ­sceptical report. The manager kept monitoring Kante, but having just brought Mathieu Flamini back, and with Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey already on his roster, he felt there was little point recruiting another central midfielder unless they were outstanding. After he joined Leicester, Wenger realised Kante was outstanding. He went for him at the end of 2015-16 but was this time put off by people around the player whose interest appeared to surround personally cashing in from a deal.

“Arsène is old school. He knew N’Golo was a good person but it’s important to him the company someone keeps,” said the friend. With Wenger unsure, in steamed Chelsea to snatch Kante in what now looks a larcenous £32m deal.

Premier League clips powered by Sky Sports

[https://www]

Watch Salah sprint clear to score from Arsenal corner

You can take the case of Kante in several ways. Many reflect honourably on Wenger. He places trust in lieutenants, like Grimandi, and he backs the players he already has; wouldn’t football be a better place with more old-school values, and less moneymaking around players? The alternative take is that you have to live in the world you live in. Recruitment is so competitive a game that you have to take chances, move fast. Isn’t the bottom line that Kante is a fine professional and individual, and would have been perfect for them? Is cynical, overheated football in 2017 no country for old-school men?

Wenger’s near-misses with Kante came to mind during this summer’s transfer window, with Arsenal fans beating on the glass and the rest of us puzzled once again about what goes on at a once pre-eminent club. On paper, when you look at it, Arsenal actually did OK. They kept Alexis Sanchez, strengthened very well, and even turned a profit.

Yet the reality seems different. In what mood is the Sanchez they are keeping? What use is another profit? Why so last-minute again? Why can’t Wenger stick to a line: Sanchez was staying, then being sold on deadline day, then staying again? How in touch is Wenger with players these days? What needs to change for Arsenal to become a club that gets business done? The PR from inside the Emirates is that criticism of Arsenal’s transfer dealings is unfounded and slanted, but the trouble with that argument is that much of it originates from their own well-researched supporters-base and, more damningly, from within the football industry. “Arsenal? Wouldn’t go there in a million years,” said an important agent on Friday. “That place is nuts.”

The Oxlade-Chamberlain situation influenced perceptions of Arsenal’s health, but rightly so. He is a young player Wenger loved, both as a footballer and character. Somebody Wenger nurtured and backed through injuries. But someone who grew into an intelligent young man, with ambition and a strong sense of his own career development, who came to feel he just had to get out. And here’s his story. Allowed to reach the final 18 months of his contract — as so often somehow happens at Arsenal — Oxlade-Chamberlain was made aware Liverpool wanted him. He was on £57,000 per week and Arsenal offered a wage rise to £80,000 per week. He told them that whatever decision he came to wouldn’t be about the money.

Arsenal offered more. His stance was the same. They came back with more again and he didn’t change. Two weeks ago, an incredible contract, worth close to £180,000 per week, was put in front of him. He couldn’t believe the largesse but hadn’t they been listening? It’s not the money. Only after a heart-to-heart with Wenger did the message finally get through and on Monday he abandoned the summer-long stance that the player was “100%” not for sale. Liverpool opened negotiations, which concluded quickly, with a £35m fee agreed and Oxlade-Chamberlain accepting £120,000 a week. He will earn £15m less than he could have by staying at Arsenal and yet is “super buzzing” according to an associate. He has gone for Jurgen Klopp and to be at a club that offers the best chance, he feels, of fulfilling his potential. Players would once choose Wenger and Arsenal for those reasons.

From the times article.Just shows how commited he was to Liverpool and playing under Klopp than caring about money.

[BabuYagu]

From the times article.Just shows how commited he was to Liverpool and playing under Klopp than caring about money.

Btw - that Kante story - it is believed that friend was Ted Knutson who is rumoured to have been working for Arsenal at the time and disgruntled that all the edges he provided them were ignored. He was tipping them to sign Kante & Keita from league 2 in france. That is the speculation I have seen on some of the little digs Ted has at Arsenal.

[Purple Red]

Oxlade-Chamberlain: "We're in good form going into the Man City game after beating Arsenal 4-0 last week."

Haha Jamie retweeted this as well. top bantz

Love this.

[BeautifulGame91]

The England international has primarily been used out wide at Arsenal, but impressed after moving inside for the FA Cup win against Sunderland.

Wenger has long touted Oxlade-Chamberlain’s ability to play as a box-to-box midfielder, as he believes he has all the qualities necessary to thrive there.


He has the attributes to play in central midfield, he has that important quality - a little surge to get out of pressure,” the manager said.

“One of the things to get out of pressure is to have a little dribble to get away from the guy who closes you down and nobody has that more than Oxlade-Chamberlain.

“That is why he could be suited for the modern game because he has that capacity to get out of the pressure.

“That is why I played 4-3-3 [against Sunderland] because he is really suited to be right-sided, box to box in a 4-3-3 - he really fits in there .

 https://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20160111/wenger-little-surge-is-vital-for-ox#h2esX5Pc8bY1DLS1.99

[Doc Red]

From the times article.Just shows how commited he was to Liverpool and playing under Klopp than caring about money.

The significance of a talented player nurtured under Wenger that decides they'd rather join their rivals for less money because they want to develop under Klopp and play for Liverpool, shouldn't be underestimated.
This is a massive blow for Arsenal. Sure, they haven't become our feeder club because of one transfer, but they were unable to persuade one of their key players from staying put, such was his faith in our project and lack of faith in theirs. And this is a team that has won 3 FA Cups in 4 seasons, yet still, he believed in our project, Klopp's vision, and Klopp's ability to bring the best out of him, above and beyond what Arsenal and Wenger could offer.

Apart from his clear qualities, his desire to join us even if it took a paycut is admirable. He has ambitions for himself, as a player, and for his club.
Can't wait to see him play for us. I think he's going to have a significant impact for us. Maybe a step below Mane and Coutinho, but next in line.

[marvelfc]

Agreed on the pointers raised but I can't figure where is he gonna be played.

If reports were accurate that he rejected Chelsea to avoid playing at wing back over his preferred position in the middle of the park, then it'd be hard to be guaranteed a starting spot. Still see him as back up to our current midfield 3, hopefully I am wrong!

[BabuYagu]

Agreed on the pointers raised but I can't figure where is he gonna be played.

If reports were accurate that he rejected Chelsea to avoid playing at wing back over his preferred position in the middle of the park, then it'd be hard to be guaranteed a starting spot. Still see him as back up to our current midfield 3, hopefully I am wrong!

It's better to not think of first XI. I'll explain why.

Coutinho over the last three years plays about 2,600 league minutes on average for us per season. Keita played under 2,500 minutes for Leipzig. Origi, who was our 2nd choice striker, played 2,081 minutes last season in all competitions.

There are 3,420 league minutes in a season.
720 minutes of european football minimum, up to 1,530
90 - 540 minutes of FA Cup football
90 - 540 minutes of League Cup football

We played 4,230 minutes of football last season.
There is anything from 4,320 to 6000+ minutes of football to be played next season depending on how far we get in any competition. Even conservative estimates put us over 5,000 minutes easily.

Due to injuries and rotation to prevent accumulative fatigue, at the end of the season we willl end up with a core of 15-16 players who have 2,000+ minutes played for us last season. Clear backups like Klavan for example, will like be less than 2,000 (e.g. He played 1850 last season).  Then the hope would be that fringe players like Solanke, Woodburn, Grujic to have played as many minutes as possible to help their progress but also reduce the burden on the core first team in terms of accumulative fatigue.

Manchester United played a lot of football last season because of their League Cup and Europa League runs. Here is minutes played for their squad. As you can see, they have 18 outfield players who played 2,200+ minutes. Then the likes of Shaw, Young and Romero who all played 1300-1800 minutes. If you look through it's hard to pick a first XI purely from minutes played.

In a Chelsea-like season, where your first focuses mainly on the league until the later rounds of 1 cup competition, there is a very clear first XI who played almost all the league minutes. Plus Willian & Fabregas who were the 'relievers' if you will, coming off the bench or rotating into the first XI often. So more a core of 12 outfield players. With european football they won't be able to do that plus it's unlikely they will have that luck with injuries once again.

So just by nature of Lallana's injury already, being first backup for Mane & Salah plus the likely injuries to Can & Henderson during the season that they invariably get, there will be 4-5 central midfielders and 4-5 forwards who will likely share most of the minutes played. Your aim is to be in that group which he certainly will be.

[the 92A]

Btw - that Kante story - it is believed that friend was Ted Knutson who is rumoured to have been working for Arsenal at the time and disgruntled that all the edges he provided them were ignored. He was tipping them to sign Kante & Keita from league 2 in france. That is the speculation I have seen on some of the little digs Ted has at Arsenal.

This lead me to an interesting hour reading up on the plus and minuses of radar charts

[BabuYagu]

This lead me to an interesting hour reading up on the plus and minuses of radar charts

Indeed. My favourite thing about radar charts is they are good for showing - at a glance - players that are similar. Or more, showing players that are nothing alike at all as I did with the AoC/Ibe comparison. They both dribble a lot. Ibe's contribution to football stops there though and the radar backs that up. Whereas AoC seems to have 4 or 5 other tools to his skillset that make him a more rounded player.

[nico 8]

The significance of a talented player nurtured under Wenger that decides they'd rather join their rivals for less money because they want to develop under Klopp and play for Liverpool, shouldn't be underestimated.
This is a massive blow for Arsenal. Sure, they haven't become our feeder club because of one transfer, but they were unable to persuade one of their key players from staying put, such was his faith in our project and lack of faith in theirs. And this is a team that has won 3 FA Cups in 4 seasons, yet still, he believed in our project, Klopp's vision, and Klopp's ability to bring the best out of him, above and beyond what Arsenal and Wenger could offer.

Apart from his clear qualities, his desire to join us even if it took a paycut is admirable. He has ambitions for himself, as a player, and for his club.
Can't wait to see him play for us. I think he's going to have a significant impact for us. Maybe a step below Mane and Coutinho, but next in line.

Agree.
I wonder whether the strong Liverpool contingent in the England squad may have also been a factor. Probably relates more to them than a predominantly foreign contingent found in the Arsenal change room. Clyne, Sturridge, Henderson, Llalana, Solanke, Trent- Alexander, Milner, Gomez, Ejara, . Add other British players in Robertson, Woodburn, Flanagan, Ward, Ings, Wilson.
Compare that list to Arsenal's British contingent- Holding, Ramsey, Wishere, Walcott, Welbeck, Niles, Akpom and Jenkinson. Probably improved his French in their change room.