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Arsenal's Jack Wilshere (R) challenges Blackburn Rovers' Jermaine Jones during their English Premier League soccer match at the Emirates Stadium in London April 2, 2011. (REUTERS)
The mood in the Arsenal camp is upbeat. This is despite the departures of Alex Song and Robin Van Persie.
In fact, the Gunners have gone about the losing of two key players with an uncharacteristic gusto.
That is perhaps because they already have their replacements in sight.
Lukas Podolski yesterday unveiled Arsenal’s replacement for Robin van Persie — Jack Wilshere.
The England youngster has been given RVP’s No 10 shirt for this season.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits Wilshere, 20, is still not expected to return until October following his troubling ankle and knee injuries which required surgery.
Meanwhile, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sees himself as the replacement for Song, who left the Emirates for Barcelona.
Wingman Oxlade-Chamberlain reckons he has what it takes to step inside and move into the Cameroon star’s role in the centre of the park.
The Ox said: “They are big shoes to fill but you’ve got that anywhere at Arsenal.
“Alex Song was a great player for us and he was a big player for us — but we’ve got a strong enough squad. I’m definitely confident of that and I’m definitely confident of filling Alex’s role.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain turned 19 this month and is the son of ex-England wideman Mark Chamberlain.
He arrived at Arsenal from Southampton in a £15m switch last August.
Oxlade-Chamberlain hopes to return from an ankle injury at Stoke.
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