With the much-dreaded international break already upon us, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain started for Roy Hodgson’s men as they aimed to become the first side to qualify for Euro 2016 with a victory against underdogs San Marino.

They did just that, and the 22-year-old winger was at the forefront of attacks down the right-hand side as he was eager to get himself on the ball as much as possible.

The pitch in Serravalle was far from perfect, the turf was uneven which meant for an unsavoury bounce on the pitch with plenty of players slipping as they tried to maintain their balance. The Ox was a pest accelerating forward, giving his marker a tough time to try and contain his threat, which in turn meant desperate measures were needed to try and stop him in his tracks.

A few late, rash tackles and sliding challenges, to be expected. However, this did not faze him as he was constantly looking for a team-mate to support inside the box, an outlet to provide service to.

Although a few of his passes forward were wayward or miscalculated, his pace and agility was evident on Saturday evening.

Shrugging off a challenge before racing towards the byline, a teasing delivery into the box was effectively dealt with by the hosts, although it reiterated his desire to drive forward with the ball at his feet, where he is at his most comfortable.

His individual flashes of brilliance have been the cue of much confusion as to why he doesn’t feature on more of a regular basis for the Gunners, that was underlined again with his excellent assist just moments into the second-half.

The ball was passed into his feet seconds after the restart, he sprinted past two defenders on the flank before weaving his way towards the edge of the area. Then, he floated an inviting cross into the box for a team-mate to strike goalwards, and it was quite literally begging for someone to get on the end of it.

Ross Barkley was on hand to head home, for his first senior England goal, at the end of a fast-paced move with The Ox at the forefront, just how he enjoys it.

Coming off shortly after the hour mark for another Arsenal player in Theo Walcott – who managed to grab a quick-fire double – the youngster had done his job efficiently and although it wasn’t faultless, his performance was full of promise for what he can do in the future.

In order to blossom into the player we all know he can be, Ox needs more consistency and some patience, then the performances should come. Displays like this are a stepping stone.