View From The Sphere

Which will come first for AOC – An Arsenal or England first-team call up?

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As seems to be the norm for teenage Arsenal midfielders these days, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain seems set for a full England call up before he even has a guaranteed place on the bench at the Emirates.

Following impressive displays in the Champions League and for England U21’s, plaudits have been flooding in for the 18-year-old winger.

After becoming the youngest ever English scorer in the Champions League, Pat Rice spoke glowingly of the winger:

‘Alex is a confident boy, a very strong boy. The Arsenal supporters are going to see a lot of this boy in the coming years.’

Also, following his debut international hat-trick vs. Iceland, Fabio Capello led the accolades, saying he will be tracked as a possible inclusion – at least for friendlies – next summer.

‘I have been impressed with him, He is a really interesting player. He is a good player, who has a lot quality and is playing at a really high level. He will be a really interesting player for the next friendly games before the Euros.’

This was backed up by England U21 coach Stuart Pearce, who made no attempt to reduce the hype:

‘I’ve no problem with that, because Alex is a very level-headed lad. He deserves it for showing what a great talent he is and I’m not worried it might affect him. He is a good team member who gives us a real cutting edge.’

At least AOC will be able to get some advice on the England fast-track from Theo and Jack.

Injury aside, Jack would be one of the first names on Fabio’s team sheet at the tender age of 19, and Theo, despite indifferent form for Arsenal, is now an England regular following his shock inclusion at 17 in the 2006 World Cup squad. Although, Theo and AOC would probably fighting for the same spot, which will make things interesting!

Everything points to Alex being the next big England Teenager.

Personally, I’d at least let him get settled into the Arsenal first-team first!!!

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3 comments

  • brad says:

    If he was a first team regular week in week out it would probably effect his development and he would end up something like Walcott.

    Arsene Wenger if nothing else, is a genius at bringing through youngsters and not you or anyone else can question hes methods.

    If hes development was rushed pundits would be straight on Arsene’s back and people like yourself would jump straight on the bandwagon and this blogs headline would be something to do with how Arsene ruined AOC career.

    When will you bloggers understand!!! Arsene Wenger is a manager at a top level football club, he never got there by chance or luck he got there because hes a genius in hes field, you my friend are an idiot with a mouse and keyboard…

  • TheSundayMorningGooner says:

    Read the last statement and reasses your comment, before you hide behide your keyboard and slag off people who take time to put their views across.

    “Personally, I’d at least let him get settled into the Arsenal first-team first!!!”

  • Aussie Jack says:

    Why Sven Erikkson took Walcott to the World Cup still puzzles me but Wilshere and Ox-Chamberlain are a little different, they are, or shortly will be ,complete footballers. Playing for Arsenal week in week out may be just beyond them right now but the odd international friendly could be just what they need. Arsene`s job is make sure Jack is match fit then they both have no problem in being called up.

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