 |
| Oxlade-Chamberlain sets up the equalizer against United |
In typical fashion, when the Arsenal were begging for experience during the 2011 summer transfer window, and about to ship off the likes of Fabregas and Nasri, Wenger went out and splashed cash on a teenager. However much potential he had, the arrival of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was greeted with mixed feelings from the supporters.
His introduction to the Premier League came at the rather sharp end of the humbling 8-2 defeat to the reigning champions at Old Trafford, a substitute appearance questioned at the time for the potential impact to his confidence. It proved a needless worry. He made impressive subsequent debuts as a starter in the Carling Cup and the Champions League group stage, opening his scoring account with a well-taken goal in each match. He would continue in the first XI in the cups, with some inconsistent showings that still had enough quality to get the attention of the English media. Good showings at England U21 level boosted the reputation of the burgeoning talent now known as The Ox.
Wenger was cautious with Chamberlain in the league still, leaving him on the bench on several occasions, finally giving him his second appearance as a sub against Swansea in January. Nearly five months to the day from his debut against United, he would get his first Premier League start against the very same club. It was widely regarded as a gamble on the manager's part, but instead of fear Chamberlain's inclusion was met with an electric anticipation from the crowd at the Grove, and indeed throughout the Arsenal support. He did not disappoint.
He got in behind the United defense early and often, showing technique and confidence that belied his years, sparking excitement among the home fans with his every touch of the ball. He fizzed a shot narrowly wide and created a handful of chances for his teammates. In the 71st minute, with the score 1-0 to the visitors, Tomas Rosicky chipped the ball out into the left channel where Chamberlain nonchalantly took the ball out of the air in stride on the outside of his boot, cut inside and waited for the perfect moment to cut a reverse pass into the path of van Persie, who finished with customary precision. Back on terms, the Grove erupted and for a few moments it felt as though we might get some level of revenge after that humiliating defeat back in August.
Instead, Wenger bizarrely decided The Ox was spent,and pulled him from the fray. That his replacement, Andrey Arshavin, was roundly booed says more about Chamberlain's departure than the Russian's arrival. He was our best player that day by some distance. Many would hold that the substitution lost us the game, particularly as it was Arshavin who was beaten in the build-up to the United winner. It was a well fought match and an unfortunate result, but the blow was softened by the performance of a prodigious young player who took his chance with aplomb, and left Gooners with the firm belief that there is still very much to come from one of England's brightest emerging talents.
Follow @11cannons
No comments:
Post a Comment