Arsenal vs. Shrewsbury: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Highlights Crop of Young Guns

A welcome break from the rapidly thickening muck and mire of our new season, the Carling Cup match against Shrewsbury provided a chance to see a rare victory.

But aside from a solid, spirited 3-1 win over a team three divisions below us, Carling Cup matches like these give fans an exciting chance to see the best young guns out of the youth team show their skills.

With the likes of Ryo Miyaichi, Francis Coquelin and Oguzhan Ozyakup (a writer's least favorite name) all showing their skills, it was a thoroughly entertaining night for those concerned with getting their first glimpse of an Arsenal side of the future.

But the youth-teamer that impressed the most was Arsenal's most expensive signing of the summer: 17-year-old Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

People often forget that this boy who is not even of legal drinking age yet is close to our most expensive signing ever, with only Andrei Arshavin eclipsing him in cost. In almost 90 minutes' work, the youngster showed glimpses of why he has the potential to be truly special.

Though Arsene Wenger is not often right nowadays, he was spot on when describing Chamberlain's first start in the red and white.

"

Oxlade-Chamberlain grew through the game and became stronger and stronger. In the first half he was a bit timid and suddenly he grew in stature in the second half. It was unbelievable. What came out, you didn’t expect it after the first half. He became stronger and stronger.

"

Spot on, indeed. In the second period, "The Ox" really came into his own and started spraying balls around in midfield, making dangerous runs and moves, and topping off his performance with a superb strike to put Arsenal ahead.

He already has shown he is more skilled than Theo Walcott, especially at a similar age. Less reliant on pace, Chamberlain combines flashes of speed with the stocky frame and skilled dribbling and passing of Samir Nasri to form a footballer that looks very well-rounded.

Before I am accused in the comments of being one of those people who jumps on the bandwagon at the first opportunity, I am not saying by any means that young Alex will carry us to Premier League glory this season. Nor do I claim he is ready for first-team action.

What Chamberlain is, at least as it appears to me, is the best and most complete young gun in our arsenal (so to speak), and his performance last night—especially in the second half—was quite encouraging.

He may not have been the best signing in terms of the immediate impact that Arsenal require, but—at least based on last night's match—he looks to really be one to watch for in the future.

Keep kissing that badge, Alex.

Follow me on Twitter: @AmeriGooner