His record so far of one goal in two appearances isn't bad at all for 18 year-old Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal, and he will be hoping his first goal against Shrewsbury Town in the Carling Cup is the first of many at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsene Wenger's £15 million summer signing is hoping to push on in the first team after getting a start this week, and despite his new clubs atrocious start to the season, he is positive his new team mates can turn it around. It is all about patience and hard-work according to the former Southampton attacker. He told Arsenal's official website:
“I think it is a really good squad. I think we just need to keep plugging away and it will come right for us."
“There are a lot of quality, quality signings here and a lot of quality in the boys that are already here. We just need to gel together now and kick on."
Chamberlain is confident that the squad is also good enough to seriously challenge for all three domestic competitions despite Arsenal's current Premier League position just above the relegation places in 17th place with only 4 points from 5 games, saying:
“I think we have what it takes to get to the final in this competition and put in a good claim in the Premier League and the FA Cup too.”
He did not underestimate the importance of the win against League Two side, Shrewsbury, as it will help Arsenal's confidence going back into the weekends Premier League football. Champions League football must be the very least Arsenal should be aiming for this season, so a rare win, whoever it is against has helped the young squad:
“It was a massive game for us. Even though you may say it is against lesser opposition, we still had to bounce back from the result at the weekend, put a statement down and make sure we qualified for the next round.”
