Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may be too tough on himself, according to his manager Arsene Wenger.
The 22-year-old, widely expected to break into Wenger’s first-choice side this season, has endured a disappointing campaign interrupted by injuries but defined by poor performances.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has found himself slipping down the pecking order this season, with Joel Campbell having usurped him in the battle to play on the right-hand side.
Without a goal since the Community Shield victory over Chelsea in August Oxlade-Chamberlain struggled in the 2-1 victory over Burnley on Saturday and has attracted growing criticism from supporters inside and outside the Emirates.
However Wenger suggested that his young prodigy should not worry about those who criticise him and focus on his own improvements.
Asked whether he believed Oxlade-Chamberlain was too harsh on himself Wenger replied: "Yes, I think so.
"It is not so much a lack of confidence, but he has a high expectation level that he is very demanding of his own performances.
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"He is 22, and we forget that these guys are still very young. He is going into the age where he will be really efficient and I think he will make the Euros."
The Arsenal manager also rejected the suggestion that Oxlade-Chamberlain had failed to nail down a regular starting spot in his midfield.
"He plays many games, if you look at the number of games he has played since the start of the season.
"Automatic choice in our job does not exist any more, especially at the big clubs. You have some players, who they get to that status at 26, 27, but at 22 not many are an automatic choice at the big clubs."
Oxlade-Chamberlain has started seven Premier League games for Arsenal this season, making a further 13 appearances from the bench.
