Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain turned in a number of impressive displays in his debut season, including a remarkable first-half performance in the 3-0 victory over AC Milan in the Champions League REUTERS

Arsene Wenger believes that Alex Oxlade Chamberlain has done more than enough to prove his worth to the Arsenal squad, with the youngster proving an integral part of the squad as they came close to staging an epic comeback in the Champions League last night.

Chamberlain was purchased by the Gunners last summer for £15 million, from newly-promoted Championship side Southampton.

While he was seen as a risk at the time, having played as high as League One football in his career, the 18 year old has since shone for Arsenal, and was at his best last night as they defeated AC Milan 3-0.

While it wasn't enough to overcome the 4-0 aggregate advantage the Serie A giants had over Arsenal, Wenger believes that Chamberlain's performance was top-notch.

"For a guy who has never played at the top level in central midfield, he started in a Champions League game and he did well," Wenger told the official Arsenal website.

"He tired a bit in the second half after his injury, and he got less of the ball than he did in the first half.

"When he got the ball, you always think something could happen. He can play all of the places across the pitch, in midfield to wide.

"You could see he has suffered physically, but also that he has the class to be in there."

Arsenal will now look forward to facing Newcastle next Monday in the Premier League, and will be hoping to take three points and assert their position in the top four.

The Gunners are currently three points ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea, but if the Blues defeat Stoke this Saturday they will be level on points going into the match-up with the Toon.

And with the Arsenal squad showing signs of tiredness in last night's game, Wenger will be concentrating on getting the most out of all of his players during the week as they prepare for Monday.