Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been taking cues from Dani Alves since moving to a wing-back role for Arsenal.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was redeployed to cover the right flank when Arsene Wenger re-jigged his side into a 3-4-3 formation last month and turned in a string of impressive performances.
The England international set up Nacho Monreal s equaliser in the 2-1 FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester City but his chances of taking part in the final were placed in jeopardy when he suffered a hamstring strain at Southampton two weeks ago.
But the 23-year-old, who missed out on a place in the matchday squad when Arsenal lifted the cup in 2014 and only featured in a late substitute cameo 12 months later at Wembley, confirmed he is fit to face Chelsea in Saturday s showpiece and has been studying one of the modern greats in his new position.
When I ve watched teams that play with five at the back and wing-backs, I ve looked at their starting positions and positions out of possession because that comes a little bit more unnaturally to me, Oxlade-Chamberlain said.
I take note of anyone when they play. Tottenham play with that formation, Chelsea play with that formation. There s a lot of teams who have played with that formation, so I watch all the full-backs, the left-back, the right-back.
When I ve watched Dani Alves recently, he might not play the five at the back, but the way he plays, he marches on and he adds a lot in an attacking sense as well as defensively. Players like that, you watch and you learn from them.
Oxlade-Chamberlain faces an anxious wait to see whether he will start ahead of Hector Bellerin, who has impressed in his absence and scored a rare goal in the 3-1 last-day win over Everton in the Premier League.
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal)
Hector, I guess he s more naturally suited to the right-back role but since the wing-back situation has come into play that s played into my hands, said Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Both of us are capable of playing the position. It was a bad time for me to pick up the injury but since Hector s been playing he s done really well. We know he s more than capable of performing in that role.
Despite enjoying his outings on the flank, Oxlade-Chamberlain – who refused to answer questions on his future amid speculation linking him to a move away from Arsenal – still sees his long-term future as a central midfielder.
I ve spoken to the manager a few times and he says that s where he sees me ending up, he added.
If you can do it, just do it. SO let s do it again!
— Héctor Bellerín (@HectorBellerin)
On a personal level I really enjoy playing in midfield and the times I played there this year I enjoyed it and thought, this is where I want to be able to play moving forward .
I think that is maybe my main ambition to end up playing there but it s a tricky one to nail me down to one position still because my attributes do go hand-in-hand with playing out wide as well.
It just depends what the best fit for the team is at the time as to where I play but long-term I d hope to end up playing more central.
