Gilberto Silva spoke recently about Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s inconsistent form and admitted that he believes the forward is unhappy on the bench – but this is a good thing.

Of course, any player should be unhappy with being on the bench as they should always want to be out on the pitch, which the former Arsenal midfielder pointed out, but only Alex can change this.

“I like that he is unhappy with not playing,” Gilberto said to 888sport.

“I would be very frustrated myself and if you are comfortable on the bench that’s something that is very wrong.

“He has to give himself every opportunity to get back into the starting eleven and this is only something he can do himself.

“No-one will do the work for him. He has to find a way.”

Alex is his own worst enemy. When he’s on form, he’s delightful to watch and not many players can run at defences like he can. However, when his confidence isn’t there, which it so often isn’t, he becomes sloppy and easy to dispossess. You can see the frustration on his face when he scuffs a shot or passes the ball off the pitch, and it’s painful to watch.

508907332 alex oxlade chamberlain of arsenal looks on gettyimages
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 07: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between A.F.C. Bournemouth and Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

However, at the age of 22, he really needs to be working this weakness out of his game. I don’t doubt he wants it, he just needs to focus a little more and stop over-complicating things.