Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and the Future Arsenal Midfield

Arsene Wenger has stated on Arsenal.com that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's role in the team will eventually be central midfield. This revelation creates an interesting image of the future of Arsenal's midfield.

Who will partner Oxlade-Chamberlain in the middle?

At the moment, the Gunners midfield is directed by veteran schemers Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky. Alex Song is ostensibly the defensive presence that provides the trio with balance. Yet in the future, things could look a lot different.

Oxlade-Chamberlain's sterling performance against AC Milan on Tuesday night showed that the youngster is a natural fit for a central role, having started his career in a similar position. He was resourceful and direct against the Serie A giants.

Oxlade-Chamberlain's pace and trickery may make him seem like an ideal weapon to be deployed in the most advanced position in Arsenal's midfield three. This player has a pivotal role in the team as the obvious creative link between the midfield and forward lines.

It is reasonable to suppose that Oxlade-Chamberlain's speed, power and shooting ability would make him a big success in this area. It's easy to imagine the ex-Southampton starlet offering a legitimate goal threat.

However, Oxlade-Chamberlain's strength and tenacity are his most underrated assets. He possesses the energy and physicality to be a force in a deeper role. His ability to break quickly from deep areas would increase Arsenal's counter-attacking capability.

Deployed in a more traditional midfield spot, Oxlade-Chamberlain would give Arsenal a more dynamic, box-to-box weapon in the mould of Patrick Vieira. The Frenchman specialised in turning defense into attack in an instant thanks to bullish and buccaneering runs from central areas.

The ideal deep-lying partner for Oxlade-Chamberlain would actually be Jack Wilshere. The diminutive England international is an active presence in midfield.

Wilshere covers a lot of ground, but his main strength is orchestrating play from the halfway line and maintaining the momentum of Arsenal's possession play. He is at his best when he is keeping the play moving at a quick pace.

Athletic Bilbao proved at Old Trafford last night that speed of thought matched with quick passing nullifies any difference in size. It is the best way to create scoring opportunities in the modern game.

To round out the Gunners' midfield of the future, Aaron Ramsey should be given the most advanced position. The Welshman excels when he operates in space just behind the forwards and is able to identify and play incisive through passes.

While Ramsey's execution and timing can sometimes fail him, the ideas are always there. Further work in an attacking role would help refine Ramsey's technique and sharpen his instincts regarding the best moment to play the killer pass.

One player who would provide direct competition for Ramsey is Oguzhan Ozyakup. The youngster is a cultured passer who possesses a keen creative awareness. This author would like to see Ozyakup receive some Premier League minutes before the end of the campaign.

Former Barcelona prodigy Jon Toral is also a player who would thrive in the attacking role. Toral specialises in well-timed runs into the box and is a decisive finisher. Toral and Kyle Ebecilio are two young midfielders who should be expected to challenge for first-team consideration sooner rather than later. 

The Gunners shouldn't be afraid to continue emphasising their faith in smaller, technically gifted players. The days of midfield destroyers and brawn over intelligence and flair are quickly coming to an end.

The game has changed. Arsenal are set up well to take advantage of it.