Welbz - How the Ox has improved

Forty-five appearances, seven positions and six goals - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s numbers from the 2016/17 season make for encouraging reading.

The Ox came second in our Vitality Player of the Season poll, with his performances catching the eye of fans and team-mates alike.

• Granit - How the Ox helped me to settle
• Ox - The wing backs that I follow
• Why the Ox was second in Player of the Season vote

“I think he’s had some really impressive performances,” Danny Welbeck told Arsenal Player. “He’s had some solid performances and it’s something that doesn’t really come as a surprise to me. I’ve seen him over the years, I’ve seen what he can do and what he’s capable of. I think now he’s started to reap the rewards from it.

“He’s great to have around the dressing room. He can always lift the mood in the camp with a little joke. He’s always got a positive mindset and it’s a good thing to have him around the dressing room.

“He’s putting in some solid performances and he knows that. But he knows in himself that that’s got to be the standard, he has to be consistent with that, improve and get to the next level. I’m sure that’s what Ox is focusing on doing.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain occupied a number of areas on the pitch during the campaign - so which position does Welbeck see as his best?

“With the quality he has and with his ability on the ball… I’d say centre mid,” Welbeck added. “I feel like he’s got the ability. I like it when he gets the ball in central mid, he knows that I can run in behind and he can play the ball over the top.

“He’s got that in his locker and that’s something that if we’re in training, we look forward to doing… if he stands somebody up in the centre of midfield and goes past them, they’re not getting the ball back.

“He’s so powerful and quick with the ball. He’s got an eye for a pass too, so it’s centre of midfield for me.”