Self-critical Ox looking to learn from Sanchez

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain admits he is ‘too self-critical’ and would benefit from adopting the mindset of Arsenal team-mate Alexis Sanchez.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has started just two Premier League games for Arsenal so far this season, with the 22-year-old still struggling to hold down a regular first-team place at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger feels that the England international “lacks a bit of self-belief”, and could look to learn from team-mate Sanchez

“For me, it is down to the quality of the reception; that means the area you get the ball,” Wenger said.

“That makes Alexis difficult to mark, because he gets into positions where he can score. He is a good finisher, and that is what Alex has to learn from him. You can work on it, knowing where to be at the right moment.

“I see Alex train every day. He is dedicated, focused, and hungry. But 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 top-level sportsmen, but you have to find the right balance of being not happy with what you do without harming the confidence.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain reiterated the message from his manager, admitting that he is too self-critical at times.

“Alexis is someone who has massive self belief and shows that every week. Quite often that results in a positive performance with good results,” Oxlade-Chamberlain said.

“It’s definitely something for me to take on board and look to improve on.

“I’m critical of myself and I try to demand high standards of myself. Sometimes that can work in a negative fashion.

Sanchez finished as Arsenal’s top goalscorer with 16 Premier League strikes in his debut season, with his hat-trick against Leicester representing his first goals of this campaign.

Oxlade-Chamberlain feels that the Chilean is the perfect role model to learn from as he looks to stake his claim for a regular starting place under Wenger.

“To look at how any goals he scored last year makes it hard for me not to look and learn from him.

“It’s his everyday manner around the training ground, how he trains, his performances, how he scores goals and how defends from the front.

“I’ve definitely put myself in the bracket of somebody who learns from him every day.”