Analysis: Could Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain oust Jack Wilshere?

After having attracted heavy criticism since the end of the transfer window for failing to secure a match-fit midfield signing, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was handed a timely boost during the side’s recent 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck to score both of the Gunners’ goals, launching them back to the top of the league in the process.

Long an advocate of Oxlade-Chamberlain as a central midfield player, despite the 20-year-old’s most prevalent role having been located in wide areas throughout his time at the club, Wenger will have an interesting decision to make regarding his first-choice central-midfielders over the coming years. Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and now Oxlade-Chamberlain have all put forward pretty credible cases for central-midfield spots this season, as the future looks bright for the club.

However, whilst picking two of the three is a question for the future, Wenger is likely to have another decision to make in the meantime. Given that he is unlikely to start two of the young trio as a central pairing during this season’s title run, the three could be competing for a berth alongside the more experienced Mikel Arteta as the season progresses. With Wilshere set to return in the next few weeks and Ramsey having been the season’s stand-out performer, who should start in the deep midfield role as the season continues?

Oxlade-Chamberlain has spent most of his Arsenal career on the wing, but has impressed in central midfield on the occasions he has played there. He came off the bench to play alongside Ramsey against Newcastle on the final day of last season and did well, whilst his contribution on Sunday transformed one point into three.

His two goals came from four shots on goal and both demonstrated well timed bursts of speed into the box from deep – an ability that was acknowledged by Wenger during his post match press conference. Oxlade-Chamberlain’s burst of speed and eye for goal is hardly surprising, as a converted winger, but is one of the key reasons that Wenger sees him as a threat from the centre rather than wide.

His turn of pace also allows him to provide the spark necessary in removing opponents from the game within central areas through performing take-ons and leaving opposing players for dead. Last season, he completed 2.54 take ons per 90 minutes played – higher than both Ramsey (1.63) and Wilshere (2.21) have managed this season. Whilst this is not much higher than Wilshere, who also possesses quick feet capable of leaving opponents trailing (Wilshere completed seven take ons in one game against Cardiff over Christmas), it is part of a wider all round midfield game than his England colleague.

Oxlade-Chamberlain Tackles v Newcastle (19/5/13)

Playing centrally against Newcastle last season, Oxlade-Chamberlain made four successful tackles. Despite naturally being a winger, “The Ox’s” boundless energy makes him a defensive asset as well as an attacking weapon.

Deployed centrally against Newcastle last season, Oxlade-Chamberlain made four successful tackles. Despite naturally being a winger, “The Ox’s” boundless energy makes him a defensive asset as well as an attacking weapon.

Based upon his performances last season and Ramsey and Wilshere’s this season, a fair comparison given Oxlade-Chamberlain’s lack of games this season, he produces more interceptions per 90 minutes than his peers. (1.35 compared to 1.15 and 0.6 respectively for Ramsey and Wilshere.)

A stats comparison of the trio is difficult due to the various positions the three have all played. However, the fact that Oxlade-Chamberlain has a high number of interceptions and tackles despite having played a large proportion of his games on the wing last season only serves to underlie his defensive qualities and work rate.

Whilst it would be a valid point to note that Wilshere’s spell on the left this season will have led to fewer defensive contributions, his average tackles and interceptions were 1.5 and 0.25 per game during the four game spell in which he played centrally at the turn of the year, and it is fairly indisputable that Oxlade-Chamberlain provides more defensively.

Arsenal Tackles 2013/14

This brings him firmly into Ramsey’s territory. The Welshman has made more tackles than any other Arsenal player this season and averages 3.38 per 90 minutes on the pitch. Oxlade-Chamberlain still has some way to go to match that and, despite his all-round contributions, if Wenger is looking for a solid defensive midfield performance then he is still likely to pick Ramsey.

Arsenal Chances Created 2013/14

To call Ramsey the defensive one of the trio probably does him a disservice, though. He has created 26 chances this season and experienced a great run of goalscoring form earlier in the season with his ability to judge his run and ghost into the box.

However, when comparing the young trio, Ramsey does come out slightly lower on the creativity stakes; an area in which Wilshere excels. Wilshere has created 28 chances this season, two more than Ramsey and the third highest at the club.

Arsenal Key Passes 29/12/13 – 18/1/14 (With Wilshere CM)

Twelve of these came during his four game run within the heart of midfield at the turn of the year, a period in which he averaged three key passes per game. The most adept of the trio at taking a game by the horns and dominating possession, Wilshere – when on form – has the ability to dictate matches and carve open opponents.

Wilshere Pass Map vs Cardiff (H) – PL 2013/14

In the long run, the prospect of the three competing for the central berths at the club is an exciting one. However, it is important not to get too carried away with the short term implications of Oxlade-Chamberlain’s performance against Palace. Whilst the 20 year old was impressive, he was not tested defensively and is still behind Ramsey and Wilshere in terms of development. In the long term, he may well find himself alongside Wilshere (or Ramsey) at the heart of the Gunners’ midfield, whilst in the short term he provides the creative spark and burst of energy Arteta and Flamini lack, but when Wilshere and Ramsey return he is likely to revert to his wide position.

Given Oxlade-Chamberlain’s versatility, Theo Walcott’s absence through injury and the relatively poor performances of Wilshere from wide, Wilshere should start centrally upon his return with Oxlade-Chamberlain taking his energy and attacking threat back to the wing. However, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s performance against Palace gives the club hope for the future and makes Wenger’s decision not to break the bank for a central midfielder look slightly less of a risk.