Youngster admits to disappointing campaign at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has admitted he has struggled to ‘kick on’ this season after a fine debut campaign in the Premier League.
The young winger’s form last season led to his shock inclusion in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for Euro 2012 and a nomination for PFA Young Player of the Year, after his £12m arrival from Southampton in the summer of 2011.
But Oxlade-Chamberlain has managed just eleven league starts this term and appeared the same amount of times from the bench, scoring once.
“There is always pressure but maybe people forget that I am only 19 and will still be 19 at the start of next season,” the teenager told The Sun.
“When you have a good first season, especially at 18, people hype you up and really want to see you kick on. They expect you to play lots of games and do really well.
“I have tried to carry on from last season, but sometimes you have to realise that you are a young lad and have a lot to learn.
“The experience of being in a club and league like this is a great education at this age.”
Despite struggling for starts, Oxlade-Chamberlain has impressed on occasion from the bench this season and helped changed the game during Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Norwich a fortnight ago, in which the Gunners trailed 1-0 with five minutes to play.
“You always want to start but your responsibility when you are on the bench, especially as a winger, is to come on, change the game and help drive the boys forward,” he added.
“That is what I have been trying to do, to make things happen and add a different dynamic to the game.
“I have been working on things like my team play, my defensive play and getting back into the right positions off the ball and these things aren’t often noticed.
“I started pre-season playing in central roles and have played there in training, so I am trying to develop that as well.
“I am happy with the way things are going and the most important thing is that the team finishes where we need to. I am happy to be a part of that.”
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