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Wenger delighted with Oxlade progress

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored on his Champions League debut © PA Photos

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists his faith in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has not been shaken - and that the young forward is developing "very well".

Chamberlain, who joined the Gunners for £10m from Southampton over the summer, has not featured in the first team since the Carling Cup tie against Bolton on October 25. Before that he looked to be on the verge of breaking through, having scored on his Champions League debut against Olympiakos.

However despite a lack of recent opportunites, Wenger is happy with the way Chamberlain, 18, has been progressing. "Overall, Alex has the quality and I can only show that I believe in that in buying him. Secondly in playing him - but also by working with him on the training pitch," Wenger said. "Alex is developing very well. He is very positive and he works very hard."

Chamberlain will be given the chance to shine in the Carling Cup quarter-final against Manchester City on Tuesday, alongside Emmanuel Frimpong and August recruits Park Chu-Young and Yossi Benayoun. Wenger has challenged the players, Park in particular, to prove they can shine against celebrated opposition.

"Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Emmanuel Frimpong will play, but I consider them to be first-team players," Wenger said. "Park is adapting to the level he is facing here and he has another opportunity against Manchester City tomorrow night to show that he can do it.

"Yossi has been absolutely fantastic, but we have so much choice in midfield and we play with three strikers. The chances for the midfielders are not so big and that is why he has not played as much as he deserves."

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