Ian Wright believes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s move to Liverpool was a ‘magnificent opportunity’, and says the 24-year-old has gone some way towards shutting up the fans who taunted him.
The Ox got off to a slow start after completing his £40m move to Liverpool in the summer but has recently hit his stride. The 24-year-old was particularly impressive during the Reds’ 4-3 win over Manchester City at the weekend, and even scored himself.
“He has to perform and get it done, and that is what Klopp has said to him – ‘this is your chance’,” said Wright on Sky Sports’ The Debate. “I feel there has be times at Arsenal where you can see players who to me look like they’re not motivated enough.
“They know they’re going to play and when they do play, they are not sure how important it is to them if they lose, or if they don’t play well. You get the impression that he realises now that it was a magnificent opportunity he has taken for himself.”
The Arsenal legend added: “A lot of people teased him. There were lots of GIFs and memes coming out over his first few games. At some stage some of those people will have to shut up and hopefully that will happen for him.
“He made a very difficult decision for himself and I’m pleased at this particular moment in time it is working out for him.”
Wright has stood by the midfielder following his decision to leave north London after six years, and reckons he’s gone some way towards shutting up his critics.
Ox has now made 11 starts over all competitions since his move to Merseyside. He’s scored four goals and provided three assists, so it already looks like he could have a better first season there than any at Arsenal. If he can fend off the injuries, that is.
The most he ever scored in one season for the Gunners was six. Am I bitter? Totally. I still feel as if he let down a club, manager and fans that stood by him through six years of injuries to go to a rival.
I also believe his lacklustre performance against the team he was about to move to was nothing short of shameful and very telling in hindsight. Arsenal were thrashed 4-0, and he pretty much just stood back and watched.
Still. It is what it is. I’m not going to lose sleep over it, nor is he.