Arsene Wenger Talks Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott After Win vs. Reading

Arsene Wenger said he believes that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott are "lifting each other" to improved form this season following the former's double in Tuesday's 2-0 EFL Cup fourth-round win over Reading.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, 23, took full advantage of a rare start this season and equalled his best-ever tally for a campaign as he netted his fourth and fifth goals of 2016-17, per Bleacher Report UK:

In part, the Englishman has been kept out of the side for Premier League matches due to the impressive form of compatriot Walcott—the 27-year-old has netted five top-flight goals already this term—and Wenger praised both players' recent performances after the Emirates Stadium win, per ESPN FC's Mattias Karen.

"He's following Walcott, in the same way," said the French manager. "They are lifting each other."

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Oxlade-Chamberlain moved to Arsenal from Southampton in 2011 and has long been viewed as one of the best attacking prospects in England.

However, he has never quite lived up to his potential or been able to establish a consistent first-team spot under Wenger—he has never made more than 17 Premier League starts in a single campaign, per WhoScored.com.

So far this season, though, when given his opportunities, he has flourished, and Wenger believes the England winger has found some confidence, per Karen:

"

Before sometimes you felt he acted in front of goal like he didn't deserve to score. And now I think he has added some belief to his finishing.

Now you have hope every time he has the ball that something can happen. He is of course powerful, but he finishes well. He has added that to his game. Certainly that's linked with confidence and work in training as well.

"

Able to play on either flank or through the middle, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been kept out of the team this season not just by Walcott but by Alex Iwobi, who has been excellent on the left following Alexis Sanchez's move to striker.

Per Bleacher Report UK's Dean Jones, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been aware since the start of the new season that he needs to prove his worth if he is to be offered a new contract by the Gunners:

He is currently doing his level best to show improvement, having also netted and provided an assist in his last start before the Reading game against Ludogorets in the UEFA Champions League.

Given his current form, it will be difficult for Wenger to keep Oxlade-Chamberlain out of the side for Arsenal's trip to Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday.

But if he is indeed returned to the bench, Arsenal are fighting on enough fronts that Oxlade-Chamberlain will continue to be given sporadic opportunities in the starting XI, and if he continues to play as he did against Reading he may finally earn a longer stretch in the first team.