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| Arsene Wenger has urged Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to have more self-belief |
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN reckons he needs a bit more self-belief.
But Arsene Wenger is convinced the young England forward is on the path to a dazzling future.
Wenger is preparing to take another massive Champions League gamble with his team tonight in a game he admits Arsenal must win by leaving first-choice goalkeeper Petr Cech on the bench.
The Gunners manager, who came in for heavy criticism for his team selection in the opening Group F game at Dinamo Zagreb a fortnight ago which ended in a 2-1 defeat, is set to give Colombian David Ospina another run-out.
Ospina, 27, was promised games by Wenger this season after the signing of Cech from Chelsea, having delayed his holiday to fly home for talks with the manager.
Wenger insisted: "This is not just because I have decided Ospina plays in the Champions League. It will go game by game and there can be a different decision.
"I need to give him games. He is a top-level goalkeeper. It is of course harsh that he is on the bench.
"But that's our job, selection and competing with other players. He does that extremely well. I am fortunate to have two goalkeepers of this quality."
Oxlade-Chamberlain was criticised both by Wenger and his father Mark for lacking self-belief after Arsenal's defeat at Chelsea.
But he has revealed he is learning by keeping a close eye on Alexis Sanchez, who ended his worrying goal drought this season with a hat-trick in the 5-2 win at Leicester on Saturday.
Oxlade-Chamberlain said: "If someone scores as many goals as Alexis did last year, you look at that.
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| Arsene Wenger is set to give Colombian David Ospina another run-out |
"He loves football and being involved in and around football. That comes out in his training.
"He's very passionate, very upbeat, he's a massive character in the team. For someone who doesn't have amazing English, he manages to communicate with all of us.
"I saw the comments from the boss that I needed more self-belief. That's what my dad says as well. So there might be a little bit of a trend there!
"I am quite critical of myself. I try to demand high standards of myself. Sometimes that can work in a negative fashion. I need to work on that.
"Self-belief is a massive part of the game. I might need to start showing I believe in myself around here.
"Alexis has massive self-belief and he shows that every week. Often it results in positive performances with good end-product. It's definitely something to take on board and improve on."
Wenger said: "Alex is dedicated, focused, hungry. His dad said he lacks a bit of self-belief and I can confirm that because he is very critical of himself.
"That's positive and a sign of a top-level sportsman. But you have to find the right balance, not happy with what you do, without harming confidence.
"Maybe he sees only what he has not done well, not enough what he has done well. He's 22. He is in the England team, he has played many games for Arsenal.
"From 23 to 30 is certainly where you are at your best as a player. He has the future in front of him and a bright one."
After the defeat in Zagreb Wenger knows Arsenal have no room for error tonight.
"This is a must-win game," he said. "You have to win your home games in this competition - it is as simple as that."
Francis Coquelin has recovered from an ankle problem and will return, but Aaron Ramsey is likely to be rested, and both Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini are injured.
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