Wenger praises Oxlade-Chamberlain

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has "stepped up" after his two goals in Saturday's 7-1 thrashing of Blackburn Rovers.

The brace marked the 18-year-old's first Premier League goals for the Gunners following his £12m move from Southampton last summer.

"Three months ago he was not ready, in my opinion," said Wenger. "He had shown talent, but suddenly in the last two or three months he has stepped up. You can see that in every game he becomes more important and his personality comes out in the game."

Saturday's win has lifted Arsenal up to fifth in the Premier League table.