Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits it may have been an error to play Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain against Liverpool just days before his move to Anfield

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Arsene Wenger admits he may have made a mistake by playing midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain against Liverpool days before he moved to Anfield. 

Oxlade-Chamberlain played 62 minutes in Arsenal's 4-0 thrashing by the Reds on August 27. 

He signed for the Merseyside club just four days later for £35million and will face his former side at the Emirates on Friday night.

Liverpool's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (left) will face his former side Arsenal on Friday night

Oxlade-Chamberlain signed for Liverpool four days after losing 4-0 to them at Anfield

Liverpool's attack proved too strong for the Gunners as Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Daniel Sturridge all scored in what was a comfortable victory for Jurgen Klopp's men.

Oxlade-Chamberlain played as a wing back, while Wenger also opted to leave summer signings Alexandre Lacazette and Sead Kolasinac on the bench.

The English midfielder seems to have showed signs of his best ability for Liverpool in recent weeks after his career had stalled at Arsenal.

Although Wenger does not regret playing Oxlade-Chamberlain when he was being linked with a move away, the French manager does concede errors were made back in August.

'It would be not fair to put the defeat at Liverpool, where the whole team had a bad performance, on one player,' he said.

'After that, on the other side, you analyse "did you make mistakes or not?" You cannot go home and say everything was perfect when you lose like we did.

Liverpool thrashed the Gunners 4-0 on August 27 and the two teams face each other on Friday

'I rate Alex highly and he knows that. After that, you want all the players to be respected who have played for us.' 

Liverpool are currently fourth, just one point ahead of Arsenal in fifth.

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey will both miss Friday's match due to hamstring injuries. 

Arsene Wenger does not regret playing Oxlade-Chamberlain before his switch to Liverpool