Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has admitted that the Arsenal dressing room was ‘very down’ after the opening day defeat at home to West Ham and the side are looking to bounce back on Sunday against Crystal Palace.

Perhaps buying into the hype that surrounded the squad after a stellar pre-season and end to the last campaign, the Arsenal players could perhaps be accused of turning up for the first match thinking the points were already in the bag only to have their arses handed to them.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FA Community Shield match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 02: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FA Community Shield match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 2, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Ox has echoed Francis Coquelin’s sentiments that the result will serve as a wake up call to the whole squad.

“The first game of the season at home, the way we have been playing, we felt we could go out there and get off to a good start – so it was a shock to the system, no doubt,” the Ox said.

“But it was an early wake-up call.

“The dressing room was very down after the game and we almost had to go around after half an hour of dead silence to pick ourselves up.

“I think we’ve shown over the past few seasons that we’ve got what it takes to go all the way. The key is that is has only been in parts. As a squad, we have to be more consistent because at the end of the day, half a season doesn’t win you the league.

“The manager was very disappointed like we all were. He highlighted the positives from the game though, I think it’s always important.

“There were some good points about the game and he highlighted the areas we need to work on.”

Currently 19th in the table (not that that means much at this point) the Gunners have a chance to make a real statement of intent and show that they are real title contenders against Alan Pardew’s side.

Regardless of the performance, the points are what are important, even at this early stage of the season, if they are to have any illusions of challenging this season.