Arsene Wenger: Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is “very similar to Steven Gerrard”

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (R)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that his returning midfielder Alex Oxlade Chamberlain can provide the long term successor to Steven Gerrardin the England midfield. The midfielder has been out of the Arsenal side since the opening day defeat to Aston Villa due to injury, but is set to return imminently, and Wenger told reporters that when he returns he can replace Gerrard as England’s deep-lying midfield player.

“Alex has a good opportunity for England now. He will be in Hodgson’s plans anyway because he can play central and wide and on that front England don’t have too many like that.

Wenger has deployed “The Ox” in both central and wide areas since signing him from Southampton, and continued his interview by expanding on where he sees the England man in the long term.

“He scored that goal against Brazil and had a big impact in that game, especially in central midfield. His future will be there in central midfield, in a deeper role, because he has a good long ball and penetration from deep.

“He has good quality to distribute and penetrate ­individually – very similar to Steven Gerrard.

“At the moment he is still in development. It is good for his education to play on the left, right or centrally, but after the age of 23 or 24 he will settle into a position. He will be an Aaron Ramsey type.

The midfielder is set to feature from the bench against Aston Villa, and Wenger backed him to impress upon his return from injury.

“What happened to him in August was a blow to him but he has common sense. His feet are on the ground and he took it well. He was out for longer than expected but he worked hard and at least he escaped surgery which is important at his age. It is possible he will play at Villa but he will start on the bench.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain created 19 chances last season, 37% of which came from the central area outside the penalty box.