Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was perhaps slightly overshadowed by Aaron Ramsey in pre season but not by a long way. He was looking very sharp and had the same look about him as the Welshman had back in July. He had visibly matured and was impressing in central midfield. After creating the opening goal on the first day of the season his impressive start was snatched away from him due to

After watching the game yesterday afternoon I envisaged a sketch of the Arsenal dressing room before kick off. All the players sitting around in a circle with Arsene folding up bits of paper and then popping them into the hat on the bench in the middle of the dressing room. All the players chuckling and shifting around in their seats as they await the name being read out from the hat. “Oxlade-Chambolyn!” the manager reads aloud with a smirk. The rest of the Arsenal players point and giggle at the young Englishman while the Ox sheepishly grins.

The rest of the Arsenal players can play the 2013-14 template. Nullifying the opposition, move the ball around and the chosen player on the day has to make the match winning contribution.

This has been the case from practically the first day of the season, granted Ramsey must have had a number of names in that hat at the start of the season but Cazorla, Özil, Wilshere, Giroud, Walcott, Podolski and more have taken turns to win games for Arsenal while the rest of the players work for the team.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was perhaps slightly overshadowed by Aaron Ramsey in pre season but not by a long way. He was looking very sharp and had the same look about him as the Welshman had back in July. He had visibly matured and was impressing in central midfield. After creating the opening goal on the first day of the season his impressive start was snatched away from him due to a nasty knee injury. That was Chambo’s first start since that infamous defeat against Aston Villa.

The first half was a training match for Arsenal, plenty of possession and one touch combinations around the Crystal Palace penalty area but our final passes or touches were not coming off. Even though we hadn’t created a great deal, I felt pretty confident about what I had seen first half. Perhaps I have become so accustomed to our game plan that now I expect it to happen. In fact I posted a tweet at half time that said..

Don’t fret! We’ll win this 2-0. We have many a gear to go up. We’ve just been jabbing 1st half. Knock out to come

— Mean Lean (@arsenalvision) February 2, 2014

Two minutes after half time Chamberlain did something that we hadn’t done for almost all of the first half. In fact whenever we are without Theo Walcott we never do it. Off the ball movement. Chamberlain ghosted past the last line of defence with Santi Cazorla scampering in through the middle, his left footed chipped pass was inch perfect so Ox controlled wonderfully and lofted the ball over the keeper with all the composure of a 30 goal a season striker.

His second goal was the type of goal I have been hoping to see from him since we first signed him. He can beat players with pace, skill and power. He has excellent striking technique. Moments before the ball was played to him he had a glance behind him to see where Giroud was and it was that awareness that allowed him to produce that flick. Giroud played the ball back into his path and Chambo took off, cut inside his man and hit a low drive past the keeper.

We have some excellent young talents at our club. Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Serge Gnabry and many more coming through beneath them but for me Oxlade-Chamberlain could be the biggest star of them all. I expect plenty to disagree with me and that is great because it means we have a lot of fantastic young players in our squad.

Funnily enough I was going to write a preview about how Rosicky should start ahead of the Ox but I didn’t have the time to write it. What the hell do I know?

The game wasn’t only about Chamberlain’s two contributions though. Per Mertesacker was immense once again at the back so was his partner alongside him and his keeper behind him. Szczesny was on hand to make the one save that he needed to from a Jerome header at close range.

So another 2-0 victory puts us top of the league until tonight at worst.

I have a sneaky feeling that Chelsea will win tonight. It is difficult to beat a team with the quality that Chelsea have if they want to park the bus. Like at the Emirates, I wouldn’t be surprised if it is Chelsea that have the better chances even if they have far less of the ball.

Needless to say I want a draw tonight

’till tomorrow.

Extra reading: Striking Out! Thoughts on the window written by Alastair Brookshaw