Arsene Wenger concedes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain mistake when Arsenal were hammered by Liverpool
The Ox played at wing-back just days before his move to Anfield
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsene Wenger has admitted selecting Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during Arsenal’s 4-0 demolition at the hands of Liverpool earlier this season may have been a mistake.
The 24-year-old started for the Gunners ahead of his £35m to Merseyside in August and played 62 minutes just days before the deadline day move.
Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohammed Salah and Daniel Sturridge all got on the scoresheet for Liverpool that day as Oxlade-Chamberlain started at wing-back, with new signing Alexandre Lacazette on the bench.
The Englishman makes his first return to the Emirates on Friday night since his Arsenal exit and Wenger insisted it was unfair to put all the blame on the player.
“It would be not fair to put the defeat at Liverpool, where the whole team had a bad performance, on one player,” he said when asked if he regretted selecting Oxlade-Chamberlain.
“After that, on the other side, you analyse 'did you make mistakes or not?' You cannot go home and say everything was perfect when you lose like we did.
“I rate Alex highly and he knows that. After that, you want all the players to be respected who have played for us.”
Petr Cech recently described the Gunners’ loss to Liverpool as “one of the worst experiences” of his career, something Wenger is desperate to avenge.
“When you have such a long career as I have, you have some defeats unfortunately that hurt you for the rest of your life,” he said. “I believe what is interesting in football is you always have a time to make up for it. When you can put things right, do it.
“So let's focus on what is in front of us and turn up on Friday night with a completely different performance.
“The motivation is there. This squad has a good mentality and it is about us, to make sure we are on top of our game. We must play with pace and a determined attitude.”
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