Arsenal: Arsene Wenger urges Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to play with 'freedom and belief'

Arsenal manager has urged Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to believe and express himself more on the pitch after becoming a regular for club and country this season. The French manager has claimed that this is a massive season for the former Southampton midfielder, who joined the Gunners in 2011.

After moving to the Emirates Stadium from the St Mary's outfit, the 22-year-old England international has impressed fans with some key performances in recent seasons. He is now a regular in the Arsenal first-team and the manager wants him to step up and show his true potential this season. The midfielder, who can operate centrally or on the wings has made eight appearances thus far this season and is likely to make his ninth when Arsenal take on arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the third round of the Capital One Cup on Wednesday 23 September.

The 65-year-old manager has called on Oxlade-Chamberlain to be less critical of himself and play with freedom this season. The midfielder has excelled on the right-wing, scoring the winner when Arsenal played Chelsea in the Community Shield and also played for England in their Euro 2016 qualifiers against San Marino and Switzerland.

"It is a massive season for Alex. He is at the age now where he is getting picked regularly for the national team. He is picked by me as well for the team," Wenger told Arsenal's official site.

"It is a very important season because of the nature he is growing. You feel the evolution has a sense of responsibility. I think Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain must believe more in himself. He must believe more in his talent and that will help him develop as a player. I think sometimes he is too critical of himself. I would like him to play with the freedom and express the desire of his talent," the Frenchman added.