Oxlade-Chamberlain comes good as Arsenal show their depth
England winger's two goals give manager a 'nudge' and see Gunners cruise past Reading in EFL Cup
Arsenal 2 Reading 0
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain inspired Arsenal to a comfortable victory over Reading, scoring twice to book them a place in the last eight of the EFL Cup.
The England winger's goals saw the Gunners extend their unbeaten run to 14 games.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
His performance also served as a timely reminder of his abilities.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has struggled to force his way into Arsene Wenger's plans so far this season yet has already scored five goals, more than he has previously managed in an entire campaign for the Gunners.
"He has completed 90 minutes on just two occasions this season, but staked his claim for a bigger role with the standout performance in a much-changed Arsenal team," says the BBC.
Oxlade-Chamberlain's display was "another nudge" for his manager, says The Guardian, and Wenger must now decide if the player deserves a place in the first team, which is currently purring.
"Happily for Wenger, it appears that he and Theo Walcott are inspiring each other to greater heights on the right flank," adds the paper. "Walcott has started the season in fine form – and the Frenchman seemed to suggest that, at 23, Oxlade-Chamberlain was coming of age."
It is about time he blossomed, argues The Times. "Unfortunate injuries and indifferent form have blotted his time at Arsenal," it says, adding the winger has never started more than 17 league matches in a season since signing from Southampton in 2011.
"Oxlade-Chamberlain's fine start is timely given that his contract expires at the end of next season and a decision needs to be made on his future. He rejected a chance to leave when Arsenal were willing to sell him in the summer, but he will need plenty more similar displays - and against far better opposition - to persuade all the supporters of his worth."
Aside from the performance of Oxlade-Chamberlain, there were other positives for the Gunners - Olivier Giroud made a second-half appearance after recovering from a toe injury.
In previous seasons Arsenal have fielded hugely inexperienced teams in the league cup, but Wenger's second string side against Reading not only included Oxlade-Chamberlain and Giroud, but also fellow England internationals Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson, who was playing his first match for the Gunners for almost two-and-a-half years. Alex Iwobi and Mohamed Elneny also featured.
Wenger "believes that his wider squad is now close to complete and, in making nine changes here from Saturday's goalless draw against Middlesbrough, he was still able to select a team of quality", says the Daily Telegraph.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The mental health crisis affecting vets
Under The Radar Death of Hampshire vet highlights mental health issues plaguing the industry
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Onion is having a very ironic laugh with Infowars
The Explainer The satirical newspaper is purchasing the controversial website out of bankruptcy
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Rahmbo, back from Japan, will be looking for a job? Really?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Pros and cons of VAR in football
Pros and Cons String of mistakes has put new technology under the microscope
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Can Arsenal really win the Premier League title?
feature How the pundits reacted after the Gunners’ late 3-2 victory over Man Utd
By Mike Starling Published
-
Tottenham vs. Arsenal predictions: race for the Premier League top four
feature Expect a ‘seismic’ north London derby with Champions League qualification on the line
By Mike Starling Published
-
Mesut Ozil’s Arsenal exile: footballing reasons or political?
In Depth German playmaker questions the club’s loyalty after omission from the Premier League squad
By Mike Starling Published
-
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Arsenal seal their biggest signing in years
In Depth Gunners fans and club legends celebrate the skipper’s new three-year deal
By Mike Starling Published
-
Why everyone’s talking about the Arsenal redundancies
In Depth FA Cup winners’s plan to axe 55 jobs angers players, fans and former stars
By Mike Starling Published