The 18 year-old has looked skillful, dangerous and coolly composed even under pressure which was demonstrated in a fantastic performance against relegation battlers Blackburn as Arsenal cruised to a 7 - 1 win at the Emirates. His manager, who spotted this raw talent a few years ago whilst the youngster began at Southampton, was impressed with how much Chamberlain has progressed in such a short space of time.
Wenger believes that despite not being ready for first team Arsenal football when he first joined the club, the improvement witnessed has been exceptional, with maturity coming out in his game along with his personality. The manager believes that in the next three months will tell us more about what Chamberlain has to offer. He said:
"The next three months will tell us. We live in a world of immediacy. Everything is instant. In September, I could not expect him to be so mature because he was still a boy. Now suddenly it looks like he can take pressure."
"He has the personality to produce under pressure. But he has still only played one game at the very top level so let’s see how he does."An extended run in the Arsenal team will certainly be a benefit to the enthusiastic young Englishman as he looks to assert a regular position in the side. Minus Andrei Arshavin who is severely lacking in confidence or support and therefore likely to leave the club in the summer, Arsenal's youngster has a big opportunity to add to his 12 appearances and four goals in a red shirt.
His talent is clear, but it is yet to be seen as to whether the former Southampton youth player can make an effective impact in an England shirt in the upcoming Euro 2012 competition.
The buzz around the player is continuing to grow on the back of this performance against Blackburn, more and more people are suggesting he would be a decent addition to the international line-up. Wenger has seen this situation before with Theo Walcott picked for England and not being used, but would not dismiss Chamberlain's chance for the country. He said:
"I do not want to rule it out [Euro 2012]. Just because you are 18 years of age does not mean you should never play. At the same time after one good game you cannot say he has absolutely to go. You have to see what he will produce. We will see in the next three months. Why not?”
“For an English national team player you have to be at the top level by 18. Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard — they all played at 18. One or two come in later but the basis of the national team are players who started at 18.”Despite his excellent form, Fabio Capello would be rather reluctant to throw such a young player in at the deep end at the Euro's with the heavy expectation of the nation, and would certainly require to see him in a few friendlies before the such a competition this year.
His performances and obvious talents shown this season would seem to put him ahead of Walcott in the squad, but the other Arsenal winger who also put in a good shift at the Emirates this week-end is more experienced and settled in the England team, giving Capello a big decision to make.
Nevertheless, already Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is looking like an exceptional buy for a club renowned for finding promising young talents. Wenger will be careful not to overplay him, having learned his lesson through Jack Wilshere's stress fracture and extended period out of action, but will certainly be encouraged to make the most out of his new English starlet hungry for success.
Gerard Deulofeu
