Kieran Gibbs has hailed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s form so far this season insisting that he’s the best he’s ever been and even comparing him to teammate Aaron Ramsey.

Gibbo has been pushed out of the first team by Nacho Monreal and so far, despite appearing four times for the team, he’s only played one full match in the league cup.

However, the left-back hasn’t let his own lack of action on the pitch hamper his admiration for friend and teammate, the Ox, who is looking incredibly sharp in the opening stages of this season.

“He’s in the best shape he’s ever been in physically and the more minutes he gets, the more dangerous he’s going to be,” Gibbo said. “That’s what I feel he needs at the moment, more game time.”

Calum Chambers, Theo Walcott, Kieran Gibbs and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 11: (L-R) Calum Chambers, Theo Walcott, Kieran Gibbs and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in discussion during an England training session, ahead of the UEFA European Championship qualifier against Slovenia, at St Georges Park on November 11, 2014 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Although the midfielder hasn’t made a great deal of starts, he’s the type of player who can come on and instantly change the pace of the game. The youngster has become renowned for his driving runs into the box, being strong on the ball and bolstering our attack when Plan A just isn’t working.

“The situations he is getting into on the pitch will come more naturally to him and his goalscoring is going to be a bit like Aaron’s,” Gibbs carried on.

“At first it was difficult for Aaron to find the net but then all of a sudden it just clicks and I don’t think he’s going to stop scoring.

“You’ve got players like Alex who you know can change a game and you have to encourage him to express himself, to do whatever he can, whatever he feels is right to do, as long as the players aren’t doing the opposite to him. It’s always encouraged by us and the manager.

The only aspect of his game that the Ox needs to work on is his shooting and finishing. However, as Gibbo says, as he’s only young, this will all come with time and patience.