Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's Pre-Season Performances Suggest He Is Finally Ready

Pre-season is an opportunity for players to lay down a marker, and the situation at Arsenal is no different. Transfer speculation enshrouds the club, but those already on the books will be eager to remind manager Arsene Wenger of their capabilities before the campaign kicks off.

The Gunners have only played three friendlies at this relatively early stage, but one man has already made a particularly strong impression: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

There’s nothing new about that. Oxlade-Chamberlain typically fares well in pre-season, flattering to deceive before inconsistency and injury take hold once the competitive action gets under way. 

Wenger has named the former Southampton man in his starting XI for Arsenal's opening league fixture in two out of the last three seasons. However, he has tended to find it difficult to retain his place across the course of the campaign.

There is particular onus on the 22-year-old midfielder to impress in 2016/17. Last season was nothing short of disastrous for Oxlade-Chamberlain. It began on that fateful opening day, when he carelessly conceded possession to gift West Ham United their second goal in a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium. His season effectively ended in February, when he was selected for the Champions League round-of-16 home tie against Barcelona.

He was, in some respects, a surprising choice. Joel Campbell had been in good form on the right-hand side of the Arsenal midfield, while Oxlade-Chamberlain had done little to suggest he was ready to start a game of that magnitude. The fact he was picked was an indication of Wenger’s deep-rooted belief in the player. 

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

Unfortunately, things didn’t quite go to plan. Oxlade-Chamberlain was injured in an incident that saw a heavy touch take him straight into the path of the onrushing Javier Mascherano. His knee buckled, and he was forced to spend the rest of the campaign on the sidelines.

That effectively knocked him out of contention for Roy Hodgson’s England squad for Euro 2016, too. With little form or fitness to speak of, Oxlade-Chamberlain did not even make the preliminary squad for the tournament—this despite playing a constant part in qualification.

That goes some way toward explaining why he’s set about Arsenal’s pre-season tour in such a driven fashion. In the 2-1 victory over the MLS All-Stars on Thursday, Oxlade-Chamberlain was arguably the most impressive player on show. Speaking in his post-match press conference, Wenger said: “[I]n the first half [Oxlade-]Chamberlain was always very dangerous and exceptionally strong.”

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

He carried that form into Sunday’s match against Chivas Guadalajara. Oxlade-Chamberlain grabbed the goal of the night in a 3-1 victory for the Gunners.

After Rob Holding opened his Arsenal account to give Wenger’s men the lead, Oxlade-Chamberlain doubled the advantage with a stunning solo strike. Driving down the right flank, he ducked inside via an impudent backheel before firing a left-footed shot into the far corner. 

It was a breathtaking demonstration of his talent. The goal combined all of Oxlade-Chamberlain’s most positive attributes: speed, skill, ingenuity and power. Crucially, what it also had was conviction. For most of his Arsenal career, Oxlade-Chamberlain has struggled to convert his undoubted ability into tangible contributions. According to Squawka, his 22 Premier League appearances in 2015/16 yielded just one goal and zero assists. 

Against Chivas, he was satisfyingly efficient. Although Chuba Akpom capped off the victory with his second goal in as many games, Oxlade-Chamberlain remained the match’s outstanding player. 

After the match, Wenger told the assembled media what an important season this could be for the promising winger: 

"

It’s a very important season for him. He has been out for a long, long time. He has been injured and did not go to the European Championship, like he should have done if he had been fit. That’s why I’m cautious with him. I gave him 45 minutes [against MLS All-Stars], now 70 minutes. I hope I can get him through and fit for the start of the season. [He gives us] power, penetration. He has it all. ... It’s difficult [to say] what he doesn’t have—that’s why I would like him to get to the level he can go to. Maybe he doesn’t completely believe...how good he can be and that’s the final step for him.

"

Wenger is right. Oxlade-Chamberlain will turn 23 on August 15. He has been with Arsenal for five years but has not yet established himself as a regular first-teamer. The time has come for him to deliver.

One of the issues that has plagued Oxlade-Chamberlain is uncertainty over his best position. He has flitted between the flanks and central midfield—in some respects, his versatility has done him as much harm as good.

This summer, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been playing on the right wing, and he looks settled there. Wenger alluded to his penetrative power, and it’s certainly true there are few Arsenal players who can explode past full-backs so easily.

There’s also a potential vacancy in the team in that area. Arsenal typically play with three attacking midfielders behind a central striker, and two of those positions are set to be filled by Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.

At the back end of last season, Alex Iwobi completed the trio, cutting infield from the left with Alexis on the right. However, it would be possible to shift Alexis back to the left to accommodate Oxlade-Chamberlain on the opposite flank.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

Things would be complicated by the arrival of a new signing. Prior to the Chivas game, Wenger was quizzed about his reported interest in Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez. The Arsenal manager refused to deny his interest, per Hamish Mackay of the Daily Mirror: “I cannot give you a 'yes' or 'no' because we do not publicise our transfer interest and the best way to make things happen is to keep it as secret as possible.”

When Wenger is so evasive about a player, it tends to indicate they are a serious target. 

If Mahrez does arrive, he would surely be set for that right-wing role, leaving Oxlade-Chamberlain in limbo once again.

The Englishman's task between now and the August 31 transfer deadline is to convince Wenger he does not need Mahrez. He’s going the right way about it.

Wenger signed a 17-year-old Oxlade-Chamberlain from Southampton and has shown a constant willingness to pick him for any occasion, however big. His confidence in the player’s talent is not in doubt.

Now, Oxlade-Chamberlain looks as if he, too, is beginning to believe in himself. If he can marry his natural ability with a new-found assurance, he could be a real force in 2016/17.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and will be following the club from a London base throughout 2016/17. Follow him on Twitter here.