Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has spoken of the importance of maintaining focus in today’s victory against Newcastle.
Speaking after the game, the 22-year-old said:
It’s not an easy place to come to.
Newcastle are a very good side, especially at home with the fans, so it’s a tough place to come to.
Speaking on Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic’s 16th-minute red card, the England international remarked:
Sometimes it’s almost harder to play against 10 men, because you have to keep the same focus as when it’s 11 against 11 and try to make sure you play the same way.
[At times] that can be hard and that’s what we found today.
After not starting since Arsenal’s Premier League opener against West Ham, Oxlade-Chamberlain commented on how the lack of playing time affected his game today.
I felt a little bit off the pace. The last time I started a match was three weeks ago and you can lose a bit of match fitness in that time.
That’s what I felt like today. In spells, I showed what I can do but overall I think I was a little bit off the pace.
But that comes with a run in the team and playing more matches so I’m sure I’ll be able to get back to my full match fitness in no time at all.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was heavily involved in Arsenal’s only goal in the game today, taking the shot that was deflected in by Newcastle defender Fabricio Coloccini.
