Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has suggested that the Arsenal squad has considerably improved ever since the departure of their former captain Robin van Persie to Manchester United last season, and believes other senior players are stepping up to build a team rather than a one man show.

The Dutchman started his career at home in Feyenoord, when he was spotted by Arsene Wenger and brought to the club in 2004. Despite a slow start to his career and playing in the shadow of one of Arsenal’s greatest squads ever, van Persie’s career at the London club was a slowburn but a positive one, with the striker improving each season. He reached his peak in 2011, when he started every game in the season and scored 30 goals to win the Barclays Premier League Golden Boot.

Van Persie was Sir Alex Ferguson’s trump card signing last season, and arguably proved to be the difference between United winning the title, and City not being able to win vital games. The striker managed 26 goals in his inaugural season at United, playing all 38 fixtures of the campaign.

Arsenal were left in shambles when van Persie departed, but Wenger has done a good job of helping Theo Walcott step up to the mark and become one of the main strikers at the club. The form of Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla have ensured the Gunners have a strong group of players who work as unit and do not depend on an individual player.

Oxlade-Chamberlain made his move to Arsenal from Southampton, and has been working hard to become a regular feature in the near future. The England international feels the club has discovered hidden qualities of different players which have emerged since van Persie left. These qualities have helped them to be counted in the team’s success. The 19-year old was quick to compliment the whole team for their contributions, with Cazorla being an ‘unbelievable’ performer.

According to Metro, Oxlade-Chamberlain said, “‘It’s hard to lose someone like Robin, but from a team point of view that always makes you stronger.”

“You find out different things about different players when they have to step up and take responsibility.”

“I think Theo Walcott has really stepped up and proved himself with his goalscoring this season. Santi Cazorla is another really unbelievable player who has produced goals, and Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and some of our defenders have got key goals too.”