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Champions League: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain makes it 100 appearances for Arsenal and is showing sparkling form

Arsenal ran out deserved 2-0 winners over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday thanks to goals from Yaya Sanogo and Alexis Sanchez. Adam Bate was at the Emirates to see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain play his 100th game for the club and feels the England man is ready to kick on…

On a drizzly night at the Emirates Stadium there were three moments to savour. Two of them accounted for the 2-0 scoreline. The other was a stunning piece of skill by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain that deserved the same reward.

Having spotted the flight of the ball so quickly, he met it with similar swiftness, bringing it under control and unleashing a measured shot with the outside of his right boot that cannoned off the frame of Roman Weidenfeller’s goal.

It seemed to sum up the confidence with which Oxlade-Chamberlain is playing right now. He showed terrific enthusiasm throughout on the occasion of his 100th appearance for Arsenal and it was more than enough to see off a strangely listless Borussia Dortmund side.

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Wenger praise for his players

There had been concern in the build-up as Arsenal fans fretted at the presence of Yaya Sanogo leading the line and third-choice Damian Martinez in goal. Amid the panic, it was easy to forget that the youngest Arsenal player in the starting line-up was the man completing a century of games for the club.

Such is the swagger he’s showing, Oxlade-Chamberlain looks ready to seize a level of responsibility that belies his age – he’s still only 21 years old – and emerge as a key player for this Arsenal team just as Aaron Ramsey did before him.

Developing

Wenger has certainly recognised it judging by his programme notes on Wednesday night, a sizeable portion of which were devoted to his young winger. “What is fantastic with him is that he is developing well,” wrote the Arsenal manager.

“I like that he is taking responsibility.  He is knowledgeable about the team organisation and he is keen to do his job in the team without losing his individual contribution. He doesn’t lose his quality with it.

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Watch Alexis Sanchez's goal

“I’m very pleased with the way he is developing as a player. I’ve said that many times to my staff recently. He is becoming mature, responsible and still has the initiative in his game. He is developing into a real team player who is still able to express his talent.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain has the perfect example to follow on the opposing flank. There is no question Sanchez is the star of the show these days at Arsenal, as his brilliant second-half strike showed, and his ceaseless determination ought to be infectious.

In truth, Sanchez has too often seemed a lone warrior for Arsenal this season but with Oxlade-Chamberlain in form there seems hope it can become a twin threat. Together they provide a satisfying balance with their tenacity, speed and quality in wide positions.

Image: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Attack zones and dribble locations for Arsenal so far this season

As Wenger suggests, Oxlade-Chamberlain has a cutting edge to his game that can even rival Sanchez. Indeed, only Eden Hazard has completed more dribbles in the Premier League this season than the young England international.

Wizard of Dribble

Only Eden Hazard has completed more dribbles in the Premier League this season than Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

There’s been end product too. He’s created 19 chances from open play for Arsenal – only six fewer than his much-feted team-mate. Importantly, he’s not merely adorning games with glimpses of quality but playing an important role in the team.

There he was, filling in at right-back for Calum Chambers, switching the play to Sanchez when the pass was on and – but for one hairy moment when he attempted to beat two men in his own half – taking care of the ball when needed. Tellingly, he had the best pass completion rate in the opposition half of any player on the pitch.

Improvement

Wenger feels further improvement can be expected. “I believe that a successful career is about developing continuously,” he added. “Alex is now at an age where he is ahead, because he already has caps for England.

“That shows as well that the players that come here at a very young age develop well, because they get a chance and play with good players who help them to improve their game a lot.

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Oxlade-Chamberlain: Balance key

“I like Alex’s spirit as well. I think he has good balance - his feet are on the ground, he accepts advice to improve. He integrates himself well in the team too. He is sociable and is a good friend to the guys in the team.”

It seems he’s as popular within the squad as he is with the fans who gave him a standing ovation when withdrawn late on. The first century of games in an Arsenal shirt are complete. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looks in the mood to make the next hundred even more special.

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