Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been discussing his meteoric rise over the past year from son of an ex-England player to an England player:
‘It has been a whirlwind, how quickly it has gone. I remember playing in games for Southampton like Dagenham and Redbridge away, on a cold Tuesday. I am grateful for these experiences because you have to work in those environments and it makes you strive to want to play in places like this, playing for your country.
‘It has been a mad 12 months – it has gone so quickly. Everything I have learned in these 12 months, I hope it pushes me on for next season and it will be a massive season for me with Arsenal and England. I was in Portugal this time last year. There was hype about me going to Arsenal and I got spotted a few times out there – I was recognised. From then to this summer. I had booked a holiday for Marbella which was Friday. All my friends have gone out but I cancelled that one. But I have enjoyed every minute of it.
‘I went home the other day to see my friends in Southsea, we drove past the pub where we watched the England v Germany game when Lampard scored the goal which was disallowed.
‘It is unbelievable how two years ago I was in there watching it and now next tournament is here and the boys will be in there watching me. This puts stuff into perspective. It has been an amazing journey. I want to now work hard and make my future bright.’
Following his display against Belgium, the transition seems to be complete and much smoother and more realistic than his forerunner Theo Walcott.
Roy has said Ox is not along for the ride, àla Theo and the German debacle, and has encouraged AOC to take risks in his game play:
‘We would rather he take it on than turn back because he was worried.
‘If he tries and go by the defender and loses the ball he is going to get criticised. But he will learn to live with that.’
Thierry Henry has also pushed Alex to be adventurous in his play. The story goes that while he was heading down the tunnel at The Emirates, ready to face Manchester United, TH14 pulled him to one side and said:
‘You have a bit extra, so try to run at people. Don’t waste today. Take people on, show the world what you can do, work hard, work back.’
From departing the pitch that day to a standing ovation, The Ox hasn’t looked back.
So here we are, two years on from watching Engerland in a pub in Southsea, to what looks like a straight choice between Stuart ‘No Assists’ Downing or Alex for the left side of Engerland’s four man midfield.
Let’s hope Roy puts his money on The Ox to allow his gambles to come off.
TheSundayMorningGooner – Placing his bets!!!
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