ARSENE Wenger should unleash Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to thrust Arsenal towards a Champions League spot in tomorrow night’s clash with Wigan at the Emirates.
And Wenger must instil the same mental toughness in the Gunners that helped them to Premier League victories against Manchester City and Wolves to avoid an upset against Roberto Martinez’s side.
Those are the views of Arsenal legend Charlie Nicholas, who insists that although we must adopt a cautious approach to the game in some respects, we mustn’t abandon our principles when taking the game to the visitors.
Wigan stunned Manchester United in the week with a 1-0 win and are battling to avoid the drop and head for the encounter with their heads high.
But Nicholas, once a Highbury idol and now pundit with Sky Sports, says the initiative is with Wenger’s men and that giving the Ox the chance to shine can add firepower to our efforts.
He told Arsenalinsider: “Arsenal have it in their own power to secure the third spot now and the impetus is vital. The team showed a mental toughness to beat City and Wolves and they need to reinforce that attitude.
“Everyone at the club knows just how important beating Wigan is because it gets rid of one more game, secures three more points and sees the Arsenal remain clear of Spurs,NewcastleandChelsea.
“If Arsenal can win tomorrow night and then manage to beat Chelsea at home Saturday it’d be massively difficult for the others to catch them and be massively disappointing if they somehow throw it away from such a strong position.
“Oxlade-Chamberlain is hugely gifted and there is obviously far more of him to come but I just wonder if Wenger might consider giving him and opportunity to hurt teams with his aggression, pace and energy.
“We are coming to the end of the season and there are a lot of tired legs out there. If you’re a defender who is running on empty the last thing you want is this dynamic young guy aged only 18 attacking you.”
Nicholas, who made 184 appearances for the Gunners scoring 54 goals between 1983 and 1987, added: “Martinez will have told his players that if you can beat United you have a chance against Arsenal and they are fighting for their lives down there and have given themselves a chance.
“You have to be cautious of any team fighting relegation and I am sure Arsenal will be cautious but still play their attacking football. I expect an Arsenal victory – we’ll have to wait and see.”
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