Ox - We have to push on from here

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is certain that Arsenal’s performances will improve over the coming weeks as their fitness levels increase.

The Gunners edged past Crystal Palace on the opening day of the Premier League season, before drawing 0-0 with Besiktas in Turkey on Tuesday night.

The England international admits that the team have not found their best form yet, but is confident that it is only a matter of time.

“It is early in the season and you could argue that not everyone is at their peak fitness yet, understandably,” Oxlade-Chamberlain told Arsenal Player.

“That’ll come soon and obviously at the end of a long season and a long summer, to come back and get our team playing as it did at the end of last season sometimes takes a little bit of time.

“We have had a few games now and I think it will get better from here. The important thing is we haven’t lost any games yet and that is something we can definitely build on.

“The technical side of our game will improve, I am confident of that. But the togetherness and the will to win is definitely there. That’s our basis to start from and then the technical side needs to come after so we will push on from here.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain admits the Gunners face a big test in the second leg of their Champions League play-off against Besiktas, but he is confident they will progress.

“Coming to a place like [the Ataturk Olympic Stadium] is really tough,” he said. “The atmosphere was unbelievable. Their fans were terrific and it was probably one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever played in.

“I thought Besiktas played well themselves, they battled from the start to the end. They have quality in their side and had a few opportunities themselves.

“The pitch wasn’t ideal for either side to get it down and play football so we had to adapt to that but they did as well. I thought it was a tough game.

“It does make our task that little bit less settled back at the Emirates because it is all square going into that one. We are just going to have to approach the game in the right mindset and make sure we get the job done.”