Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has vowed to step up to the mark and start finding the net as Arsenal attempt to ensure qualification from their Champions League group.
The Gunners face leaders Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates on Wednesday knowing a win would guarantee passage to the knock-out stages.
“The Ox” has only just made double figures in nearly 100 appearances for Arsenal but the headed goal he scored for England at Celtic Park last Tuesday has helped convince him he can and should be a more regular scorer.
“To score and win made it the perfect night,” he says. “I don’t score many headers so it’s something I won’t forget for a long time.
“Mind you, I was told the TV commentator called me Wayne Rooney when I scored. I’ve never been mistaken for Wayne before, although someone (referee Andre Marriner) did once confuse me with Kieran Gibbs!
“I want to score more goals. It’s something I feel that I need to add to my game to take me to the next level. I’ve been working hard on making those kind of runs in behind. It’s an area of my game that I know I need to improve on.
“When it comes off you always get extra satisfaction knowing that your work on the training ground has paid off. But making those runs is only part of it. You have to have a team-mate who is capable of spotting your movement and making the pass.
“Credit goes to Jack Wilshere for that goal in Glasgow. As a forward you can never be grateful enough when you get that kind of service. It was a different goal from the kind of goals I usually score. I want to score more like that, especially when I’m playing wide and running off the back of defenders.
“I’ve watched Theo Walcott do it for years at Arsenal and it’s definitely an area that I know I can improve on if I keep working hard. Sometimes you might make that run 10 times and not get spotted, but the key is to keep trying to get in behind in the hope that the pass comes your way.
“I need to bring more to my performances. I’m working hard on my finishing and movement. I have goal targets, but I keep them to myself. What I will say is that I need to score more.
“Goals win games and goals make sure you’re remembered as a player, so I’ve got to improve that area.”
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