Arsene Wenger believes that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has the necessary potential to become Arsenal's answer to Steven Gerrard.

The 20-year-old has spent much of his early career operating on the flanks, but the Frenchman envisages a central role for the England international in the long term and hopes that the youngster can prove as influential as the Liverpool captain.

"He has good quality to distribute and penetrate ­individually – very similar to Steven Gerrard," manager Wenger told The Mirror.

"At the moment he is still in development. It is good for his education to play on the left, right or centrally, but after the age of 23 or 24 he will settle into a position. He will be an Aaron Ramsey type."

Oxlade-Chamberlain is tipped for a return to first-team duties during Monday's trip to Aston Villa, with the former Southampton starlet absent for the Gunners since the opening day of the season due to a knee ligament injury.