Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain interview: I grew up idolising Brazilians - to play them in their own country would be great

19 Mar 2013 23:00

The Arsenal and England youngster talks exclusively to John Cross about his desire to be part of next year's World Cup in South America

Lion's roar: Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates his first - and only - England goal

Scott Heavey

Midfielder Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain believes England’s next generation can bring a new era of success under Roy Hodgson.
The Arsenal teenager says the young players are ready to repay their ­manager’s faith by coming of age in Brazil next summer.
He was the surprise inclusion in Hodgson’s squad for Euro 2012 and Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Daniel ­Sturridge are also a regular part of his set-up.
It is a clear look towards the future by Hodgson and Oxlade-Chamberlain says England will have the perfect mix of youth and experience by the time of next year’s World Cup.
The 19-year-old, speaking at an event for England sponsors Vauxhall, said: “The team spirit under Roy Hodgson is brilliant. It’s a really good working ­environment.
“We have experience, youth and the quality to do damage at a tournament.
“The manager has brought young players into the squad, from the Euros onwards. That really helps for the future. Going to the Euros helped me. I’m sure Danny Welbeck will say the same.

“The set-up at St George’s Park will also help as the seniors, under-21s are all together.

“I see Danny Welbeck, a young player like me, doing really well. Playing well, scoring at the highest level and to see other young players coming through is great for the whole squad.
“I feel sure we can make good things happen. There’s a spirit, no one is inhibited and the fact there’s more young lads in the squad means you’re not going in on your own.”

Golden boy: Brazil ace Ronaldo (right) was a hero to Oxlade-Chamberlain

Christof Koepsel

 Hodgson has kept some of England’s Golden ­Generation – Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Steven Gerrard are still regulars – but the new breed are being given their chance.
That gradual introduction has helped blend in the junior squad members and Oxlade-Chamberlain says that was vital for him.

“The older lads are like mentors, they give you ­confidence and it really helps,” he said. “I think that’s how a good team with spirit, togetherness and confidence is built.

“Theo used to tell me that as a young player at Arsenal he was the only young English lad there, along with Ashley Cole. He told me he found it a little bit hard to settle in and get into the team.

“From my experience of getting into the Arsenal team, having other young British lads around helped me settle down a lot. It’s the same with England, with good young players around the squad. Sturridge, Welbeck, Caulker, loads of young players.

“By starting earlier you form better relationships and play better together.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain has had a stop-start season.

He has found it hard to nail down a regular place with the Gunners, yet Hodgson has carried on selecting him.

That has been a big ­confidence boost for a player who scored his first England goal against San Marino in October.
He refuses to take his England place for granted but believes going to the Euros as a teenager will be vital for his future.
He added: “It was an amazing experience. I can use that for the rest of my career to spur me on to play in more ­tournaments.”
“The games come thick and fast. You have to play, recover, and do it again three days later.

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PA

 “It means the world to me to know the manager has faith in me. All I can do is keep repaying his faith by playing as well as I can when I get the chance for England.”
Looking to next summer, he added: “We have to make sure we qualify for Brazil.
"I grew up idolising Ronaldo. All these players – Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, Cafu.
“To play them in their own country will be a great experience.”

The Ox's England career by the numbers

Appearances 9
Minutes On Pitch 399
Goals 1
Shots On Target 6
Shots Off Target 3
Blocked Shots 2
Goal Assists 1
Chances Created 5
Total Passes 245
Pass Completion 84%
Total Crosses 8
Cross Completion 25%
Dribbles & Runs 23
Dribble Completion 43%
Tackles Made 6
Tackles Won 67%
Clearances 1
Interceptions 5
Fouls 5
Offside 0
Yellow Cards 1
Red Cards 0  ------------ Mirror Football