With Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alex Iwobi all ahead of him in the pecking order, is it time for ‘The Ox’ to leave the Emirates?

49. That is how many Premier League starts Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has managed since joining Arsenal five years ago. Shocking isn’t it?

The barnstorming wideman arrived at the Emirates from Southampton at the age of just 17 in 2011, mirroring the career path taken by his Arsenal team-mate Theo Walcott. And, like his Arsenal team-mate Theo Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s prodigious talent has been undermined by consistent injuries and rather less consistent form.

Furthermore, the addition of two established world stars in Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, plus the emergence of Alex Iwobi (below), have made it increasingly difficult for the 23-year-old to break into Arsene Wengers’ first-team plans, though an impressive cameo in Saturday’s 3-2 win against Swansea offered a timely reminder of his qualities.

And ‘The Ox’, who admitted that being left out of Sam Allardyce’s first and only England squad was a “wake up call” according to the Independent, has now suggested that he may need to look elsewhere to kick-start his career.

“I’d be lying if I sat here and said it hadn’t crossed my mind that I need more game time. I’m not happy when I’m not playing,” Oxlade-Chamberlain revealed on Goals on Sunday.

“There is going to come a time in my career, and I think I’m approaching that time, where I do need to be getting more regular football but my focus completely and utterly now is on playing for Arsenal and still trying to break into the team when I get the opportunity.”

The powerful winger could do worse than to consider a temporary spell away from the pressure cooker of the Emirates, a la Jack Wilshere, in order to rediscover his form and confidence after a stop-start couple of seasons.

There would surely be no shortage of takers for a player viewed as the future of English football not so long ago. And, if Twitter is to be believed, many Arsenal fans would quite gladly wave him off.

This content could not be loaded If Oxlade-Chamberlain wants to play more often he should try actually playing like a half competent footballer. — ARSENAL (@Artekkers) October 17, 2016

This content could not be loaded Oxlade-Chamberlain was very positive & impressive in his cameo. Unlucky not to get couple of assists. Bodes well for coming weeks. #Arsenal — Michael Gooner (@MickTheGooner) October 15, 2016

This content could not be loaded Depay & Oxlade-Chamberlain are very similar. Devastating on their day with all the tools to be great, but no consistency or confidence. — Phil Costa (@_PhilCosta) October 10, 2016

This content could not be loaded arsenal need to sell oxlade chamberlain and then buy draxler or griezman #arsenal — Dani Oz (@OZ_HS) October 17, 2016

This content could not be loaded Oxlade-Chamberlain has the talent, technique and potential. He just try too hard at times and is inconsistent. — Chew Chin Sian (@chinsian) October 17, 2016

This content could not be loaded Sounds like alex oxlade chamberlain is looking for a new challenge I’d welcome him to Liverpool with open arms — Matthew (@Matt__Hickman) October 16, 2016

This content could not be loaded Sounds like alex oxlade chamberlain is looking for a new challenge I’d welcome him to Liverpool with open arms — Matthew (@Matt__Hickman) October 16, 2016

This content could not be loaded Oxlade chamberlain feels he should be playing which is fair, but he needs to assess his performances. He’s not been good enough imo — The Arsenal (@The_Arsenal78) October 16, 2016

This content could not be loaded What is Oxlade Chamberlain saying? No one in recent times has been given more opportunity to stake a claim like he has. — CanonCrested (@canoncrested) October 16, 2016

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