Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain left the talent graveyard at Arsenal and took a £60,000 pay-cut to join Liverpool… but he's off to a flying start having already beaten his best Premier League goals tally
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's Premier League scoring totals in his six seasons at Arsenal tell the story of a player whose attacking potential was wasted.
Two goals in 2011-12, one in 2012-13, two in 2013-14, one in 2014-15, one in 2015-16 and two in 2016-17. Nine in total in the space of six years under Arsene Wenger.
In 20 games with Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, the Ox now has three goals – more than he managed in any of those seasons at Arsenal.
The 24-year-old attacker should not get ahead of himself, of course. Three goals in the grand scheme of things is not a lot.
What it is, however, is a sign he can contribute more at his new club than he did the other. It is certainly a start.
The Ox's first goal for Liverpool following his £35million move was against West Ham in a 4-1 win and his second was against Swansea in a 5-0 win.
His third was more vital – the opener against Manchester City at Anfield which put Liverpool on course for a 4-3 win in what was the game of the season so far.
He drove at the Premier League leaders' defence, forcing his way past Fernandinho and striking a low shot beyond Ederson. It showed a direct side to him under Klopp.
Oxlade-Chamberlain's dribble success rate is currently the best it has been in his career (62.9 per cent). He has attempted 62 – already more than he did three out of six seasons at Arsenal.
His set-piece deliveries have been an asset too.
The new man assisted Virgil van Dijk for his debut winning goal in the Merseyside derby.
He also took the free-kick which led to Ragnar Klavan's stoppage-time winner against Burnley at Turf Moor four days before that.
The Ox was used out of position on occasion by Wenger, such as at wing-back, but what he wanted was the opportunity for freedom further forward and a chance in central midfield.
It is his preferred position and precisely why he agreed to a £60,000 pay-cut to move to Merseyside.
Arsenal offered Oxlade-Chamberlain £180,000-a-week but he signed a contract worth £120,000 with Liverpool.
There are others who have been held back at Arsenal, arguably a graveyard of talent. Young, talented players rarely seem to improve these days at the Emirates Stadium, while there are plenty of examples of players who have stood still or even moved backwards under Wenger.
Theo Walcott, who left for Everton for £20m last week, was among those. He is likewise hoping to fulfil some potential before it is too late, though Walcott is 28 while the Ox got out at 24.
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