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Wenger - Why the Ox works at wing-back

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at Wembley

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s future will be decided in the summer, according to Arsene Wenger.

The England international has emerged as one of our most consistent performers and is now starring at wing-back - his sixth position of the season.

The boss is unequivocal about the Ox: he wants to keep him here. But he intends to get the season finished first.

“It will be decided in the summer - we have a big job to do in the summer,” said Wenger, who went on to praise the 23-year-old’s development.

“He’s done very well at wing-back,” said the manager.

“In the future, on long term, he will play in central midfield. What he is doing at the moment will help him to be a successful central midfielder as well. But at the moment I feel that this wing-back role has suited him well.

“First of all he can use well his power. And it suits him well as well because he is facing the game when he gets the ball. It’s a different kind of game to be marked by somebody, get rid, turn and go forward, or to face the game. I think he looks to be comfortable when he is running at people and when he has the ball at his feet.

“When we speak about systems, some systems give a little advantage to some players because it just suits them a little bit better, comforts their qualities. He has maybe benefited from it.

“I think Alex is one of the players who has developed very well mentally. He is more positive, more confident, more mature. He was sometimes a bit negative with his own performances. And I think on that front he is much better now.”

 

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