Arsenal Transfers: Where Would Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Fit?

On Thursday June 9th, the Arsenal win race for Oxlade-Chamberlain. Daily Mirror reported that Arsene Wenger had finalised a deal to bring English football's brightest young talent to the Emirates Stadium.  The Mirror report indicated that a £12 million deal already exists between Arsenal and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's current club Southampton. 

In their traditionally reticent manner, Arsenal have neither confirmed nor denied the validity of this hotly tipped transfer.  If Oxlade-Chamberlain's widely anticipated switch to Ashburton Grove does indeed materialise, it offers interesting questions about his possible role in the Arsenal team.

Carving a niche in English football's third tier as an electrifying forward from wide positions, Oxlade-Chamberlain draws inevitable comparisons to Arsenal's own fleet footed attacker Theo Walcott.  Walcott also came through the ranks at Southampton.  Like Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain has built his reputation on tremendous pace and the ability to be utilised both on the wing and through the middle.

The uncertain futures of a quartet of disgruntled players could provide opportunities for a new wide man.  Carlos Vela, Nicklas Bendtner, Andrey Arshavin and Samir Nasri could all be sold this summer.  All four have seen action in the wide berths as part of Arsenal's 4-3-3 hybrid attack.  Oxlade-Chamberlain could offer some fresh ideas to Arsenal in a winger or supporting striker role.

His combination of speed and technique would not be out of place at the Emirates.  With eight assists last season, Oxlade-Chamberlain has demonstrated signs of delivering a consistent and quality final ball.  A powerfully built player and standing at 5'11" Oxlade-Chamberlain could make a quicker transition to the rigours of the Premier League than Walcott managed.

Another intriguing possibility is that Arsene Wenger may see a swoop for Oxlade-Chamberlain as the perfect opportunity to finally free Theo Walcott to play as a central striker.  Combining two players of such outstanding pace with the creativity of Robin Van Persie would increase the potency of Arsenal's attack.

Another option the Gunners may consider is Oxlade-Chamberlain's own potential through the middle.  He began life at Southampton as a central midfielder and has a healthy amount of experience performing this role.  Arsene Wenger could look to maximise the duality in Oxlade-Chamberlain's game, by deploying him as a supporting striker operating just behind a lone front man.  This would move Arsenal back to the 4-4-1-1 formation played by Wenger's most successful teams.

If Oxlade-Chamberlain does arrive at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger will have an important decision to make regarding the best way to use him.  Whatever Wenger decides, with limited resources and several needs, Arsenal fans will not appreciate £12 million spent on a player who cannot offer immediate help in the quest for silverware.