Source: mail_online
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain wants to replace Alex Song for Arsenal
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain believes he is ready to take Alex Song's role in Arsenal's midfield. The England international tends to play out wide but has previously featured and excelled in a central position and he thinks he is ready for the challenge.Song, a key player, was sold to Barcelona for ?15million last week and Arsenal now look weak in the middle.
Shift: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain wants to be a central midfield maestro
'They are big shoes to fill but you’ve got that anywhere at Arsenal,' Oxlade-Chamberlain told The Sun. 'In any position you’ve got a big role to play and big shoes to fill. You only have to look back at the "Invincibles" and the team that won the league — they are massive shoes to fill for us.
'Whenever you’re playing on the pitch you have to step up to the plate and perform.'Alex Song was a great player for us and he was a big player for us — but we’ve got a strong enough squad. I’m definitely confident of that and I’m definitely confident of filling Alex’s role.'Oxlade-Chamberlain's desire to play in the heart of the midfield is not a new thing. He explained: 'I remember on the day I actually signed he asked me where I saw myself playing.'My dad was in the room and said ‘Centre mid, he’s a midfielder’.
Gone for a Song: The midfielder left for ?15m
'The boss sort of laughed and said ‘I think he could be as well’. He said maybe to start off with I would be out wide and last season I did play the majority of my games on the wing.'But the boss has been pushing more this season to try my hand in a more central position.'If I can prove I can play in that position as well then that will help me and my career at Arsenal.'The youngster wants to model his game on Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. He added: 'I’ve been watching him since I was a young lad.
Role model: Oxlade-Chamberlain wants to take his on-pitch cues from Steven Gerrard
'Back in his early days I remember he used to make bursting runs from deep all the way up front and get in the box and score goals. Frank Lampard used to as well.'So that’s a side of my game I want to add to — scoring more goals. More in terms of getting myself into the box and having that drive and instinct. Gambling to get to the back post and gambling to get to the front post.'That way you score more goals. But that comes with experience I think. Once you score one like that you keep doing it.'I haven’t got that goal yet where I’ve burst into the box. Once I get that one I’m sure I’ll keep on doing it. I’ve just got to improve.'
