Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 'has it all' but has also warned the midfielder he is facing a crucial season at the Emirates Stadium.
The 22-year-old missed a large chunk of last season through injury, making just 22 Premier League appearances before a knee problem curtailed his campaign in February.
The injury also saw Oxlade-Chamberlain miss out on a place in England's Euro 2016 squad, but he has shown encouraging signs of progress during the Gunners' pre-season preparations.
Oxlade-Chamberlain scored a superb individual goal in the 3-1 victory over Chivas Guadalajara and Wenger is hopeful that the versatile midfielder can maintain his fitness for the season opener against Liverpool on August 14.
"It’s a very important season for him. He has been out for a long, long time," Wenger told the club's official website.
"He has been injured and did not go to the European Championship, like he should have done if he had been fit. That’s why I’m cautious with him.
"I hope I can get him through and fit for the start of the season."
Having missed so much football due to injury during crucial stages of his development, Oxlade-Chamberlain is yet to fulfil his potential at Arsenal after arriving from Southampton as a 17-year-old in 2011.
But the England international, who has two years left on his deal with the Gunners, finally looks set to flourish and Wenger is adamant it is up to Oxlade-Chamberlain to become the finished article.
"He has it all. [He gives us] power, penetration. It’s difficult what he doesn’t have - that’s why I would like him to get to the level he can go to.
"Maybe he doesn’t completely believe himself how good he can be and that’s the final step for him," Wenger insisted.
