Arsene Wenger: 'Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain needs time'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has played down Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's omission from Stuart Pearce's England squad for the match against the Netherlands.

Many believed that the 18-year-old had done enough for the Gunners recently to warrant a call-up for the game at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday.

However, Wenger believes that the youngster still needs time to develop.

"I believe for any player he must play 100 games and then you talk about him," the Frenchman told reporters.

"When a player has five or six games in the Premier League every time you have ups and downs.

"He learns his job at the moment. I am a strong believer in Oxlade-Chamberlain and I spent quite good money for him, but he needs time."

Oxlade-Chamberlain moved to the Emirates Stadium from Southampton in August for around £12m.