Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says he can take Theo Walcott’s place in Arsenal side
Posted Friday, September 30, 2011 by The Sun
AFTER stealing Theo Walcott's Champions League record, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain now aims to snatch the England star's Arsenal starting place.
Both players have come from Southampton and both cost the Gunners £12million.
Yet the similarities between the two starlets do not end there.
Oxlade-Chamberlain broke Walcott's record as the youngest English goalscorer in the Champions League against Olympiakos on Wednesday.
At 18 years 44 days, the new boy was almost six months younger than Walcott when he opened his top-level Euro account.
And even though 22-year-old Walcott has been showing Oxlade-Chamberlain how things operate at the Emirates, the hungry young winger insisted all is fair in the battle for a starting place.
Oxlade-Chamberlain said: "Theo has been showing me the ropes. I sit next to him in the dressing room and he has helped me along.
"I came as a new young lad and he knew how I felt coming from Southampton.
"But it's not just Theo, it's all the boys. They've all been helping me out. I've been watching Theo, because I'm playing on the right wing at the moment.
"I'm just trying to take from his game and learn from the stuff he does.
"I know I have to dislodge Theo to get in the team regularly and that's football isn't it? But I think one of the main things with me is that I am going to learn by getting more game time.
"You're all mates off the pitch, yet on the pitch you're all competing for places. That only makes a healthier squad.
"People fighting for positions means everyone has to step up their game.
"It will be very hard for me to get hold of Theo's position, or of anyone's position, in this team.
"But I'm up for it. I am prepared for the challenge and I'm just going to keep learning every day and working hard."
Only last season, the Ox was watching Champions League games at home with his dad, former England winger Mark Chamberlain.
Now, after making history in Europe's elite competition with a cracking left-foot shot from the edge of the box, he is desperate to be involved in the North London derby at Tottenham on Sunday.
He added: "I used to watch the Champions League at home with my family, my friends and my dad. It seemed so far away last year.
"You get one chance and you have to take your opportunities. When I scored on Wednesday, I was shocked.
"As I was running away to the crowd, I really couldn't believe it.
"It didn't cross my mind it was a Champions League game until after the match and I sat down and thought about it.
"I scored a few at Southampton and went straight down on my knees, so that's where that came from."
Oxlade-Chamberlain knows skipper Robin van Persie, on as a late sub against Olympiakos, is a cert to return to the starting line-up at Spurs.
So should Walcott, who ought to be over his knee problem by Sunday.
Oxlade-Chamberlain confessed: "I don't know if I've staked a claim to start the game on Sunday.
"I know I've a lot of hard work to do and there are boys coming back from injury. It's going to be hard but if I've staked a claim I'm happy.
"Whether I'm on the bench or whether I start, I will be delighted to be there.
"I'll give my all to help the boys out, get a win and keep building on the momentum."
Photos
More»
[PICTURE SPECIAL] Manchester United 3 - 2 Newcastle
Thursday May 16 2024
[PICTURE SPECIAL] Tottenham 0-2 Man City
Wednesday May 15 2024
Your Say