...and the Ox is thriving now he’s left

IF YOU need any further proof that players stand still when they are at Arsenal, you only need to look at Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s dazzling performance for Liverpool against Manchester City. No more than an hour after his former Arsenal teammates had lost limply at Bournemouth, the Ox burst through the City defence to open the scoring. Oxlade-Chamberlain (below) looks a different player since arriving at Anfield last summer. At Arsenal, it was all too easy for him. No-one was pushing him and it did not matter whether he was in or out of the team. Now he looks fitter, stronger and is thriving in a clearly-defined midfield role. Once again, he looks like a fantastic talent. With the Ox and Jack Wilshere in fine form, England’s midfield options seem much rosier for the World Cup in Russia.