Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain wants Arsenal to own up to their problems going into next season.

• Ox has returned to training after suffering hamstring problem
• 23-year-old made 29 Premier League appearances this season – the most he’s made in an Arsenal shirt
• Admits Arsenal players wish they had finished higher in table
• Urges teammates to own up to their problems

Arsenal have finished in fifth for the first time in two decades. As a result, they haven’t got Champions League football to look forward to next season and face potentially losing their best players over the summer.

Speaking ahead of the FA Cup final against Chelsea this weekend, where the Gunners have the chance to put things (sort of) right, the Ox admitted that the players are disappointed to not finish higher up the table, and they have to own up to that.

“The season’s been an odd one,” he said.

“When you’re in football, winning trophies is what it’s all about. It will obviously be a bonus this season to finish on a more positive note.

“There will obviously be that feeling of wanting to finish higher up the league. There’s no doubting that and we can’t hide from it. We need to own up to that.

“But it’s a big trophy, one that we want to win and it will definitely boost morale going into next season.”

The Ox has rejoined training with the rest of the squad ahead of the Chelsea clash after picking up a hamstring problem and therefore could feature at Wembley on Saturday evening.

The 23-year-old has worked his socks off during the latter stages of this season, making 29 Premier League appearances, which is the most he’s ever made in an Arsenal shirt, so it’ll be a shame if he’s no fit enough to play in the final.