No regrets for Arsenal teen

Arsenal starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is convinced that he made the right decision in rejecting rival clubs to move to London.

The 18-year-old winger had caught the eye of many Premier League clubs as he helped propel Southampton to promotion from League One in 2010-11.

He opted for the Gunners over the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United, and the youngster said he is delighted by the progress he feels he has made since arriving at the Emirates Stadium.

“Is it best for me to be here? I think so,” Oxlade-Chamberlain said.

“Since I’ve been here, the young boys get a lot of chances in the cups and it is a great place to be. You are always learning.”

“When I came here, I didn’t think I was going to jump into the squad straight away. Coming from Southampton, I played week in, week out.”

“Signing here, I knew I wasn’t going to be involved as much and I’d have been naive to think I would.”

“But just being able to train with these players every day, listening to the manager and just being around Arsenal, I have learned so much.”

“I wouldn’t have changed anything for the world. The next step is to push on into the squad.”

“At the same time, though, there is no rush. I trust the boss to progress me in the best way, he is a top man, very intelligent.”

Despite all he feels he has learnt while under the tutelage of manager Arsene Wenger, Oxlade-Chamberlain is shrugging off talk of potentially being included in the England squad for their Euro 2012 campaign.

The teenager instead preferred to focus on the Under-21 side, for whom he has made seven appearances and scored three goals.

“I don’t look too much into that. I am not in the senior squad, I am in the U21s and the way I see it is that we go away in February with the U21s and that is my focus,” Oxlade-Chamberlain said.

“I have a lot of impressing to do at Arsenal before I think about going away with England.”

“But if people are saying that, it is quite flattering to know you are being considered. My focus, though, is here at Arsenal.”