Oxlade-Chamberlain the new Gazza, says Arsenal Legend

I guess the comparisons made caused me to look back at Gazza and to remember that in 1990 he was not a true youngster but a 23 year old who has played 5 seasons of top flight and had in that time has played 158, yes 158 times for Newcastle and Spurs. When Ox was taken to his first major championships in the summer of 2012 had had played in just 26 top flight games for Arsenal and now with a huge 69 games for Arsenal, the majority as a substitute he is suddenly England’s main hope?

In truth Alex should be with Stuart Peace’s U21s this week but he is not. In England 2013 it is, and has been for some years all about the NOW. As I say we cannot control whether our players are selected for England too early and how much expectation is thrust upon them. We can however remember that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is not yet 20 years old and that Paul Gasciogne did not become the player we all remember from Italia 90- and the FA Cup run of 1991 until he was 23/24. The expectations and perceptions in the Premier League era many have changed. The pressure on successive England Coaches as time elapses since 1966 augments but the reality is that a player, in most cases will not peak until 23/24 or beyond has not.

We as Arsenal fans should appreciate the comparison with Gascoigne and lick our lips with anticipation of what Ox could become for Arsenal and for his country. However, we should be patient and allow Wenger to mould him and introduce him increasingly so when he is 23, he too can impact matches, cup runs and campaigns in the way Gazza did at that age.

I genuinely believe we have an absolute gem on our hands who will have an impact on the game at the highest level. I thought this when he was 15 and I still feel the same way. I just hope the lad himself recognises that his great future is still in the future and not necessarily now. Look at Theo as your inspiration young Ox.

In the season when he turned 20, which for Ox is the forthcoming one, Walcott only played in 30 of Arsenal’s 55 matches and started only 15. In that 2009/10 season Theo scored 4 and assisted. Just three years later, in the season just gone, aged 23 he scored 21 and assisted for 14.

It is all there for you Ox. You could be the first England midfielder in the Gazza mould to truly make a breakthrough and be given licence to play that role. Be patient though as we the fans must be because your time to really shine is surely in 2 to 3 years.