Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has revealed that he has been frustrated on a personal level with limited playing time in North London this season.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been a peripheral figure at times for the Gunners during the current campaign, scoring just one goal in the Premier League.
The 19-year-old has insisted that he understands manager Arsene Wenger's reasons for his reduced role and is determined to finish the season strongly and prove his worth to the team.
He told The Mirror: "This season hasn't progressed as much as I would want to because I always want to play for Arsenal, but I always understood that sometimes the manager will protect his younger players.
"I remember speaking to Robin van Persie last year and Theo Walcott before that. They said that they experienced the same thing so if that happens to me don't get frustrated. I can't complain with the way the season has gone, there is still a long way to go and I could be a crucial part of that at some point.
"I have just got to make sure that mentally and physically I am ready to help the team. We have got a tough run-in to make sure we get in the top four. Arsene Wenger has his reasons for not playing me. He's a very wise man and a brilliant manager."
Oxlade-Chamberlain scored his second international goal last Friday as England recorded a resounding 8-0 win over San Marino.
Liam Power
