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Arsenal forward Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain taking advice from Thierry Henry and Robin Van Persie to fulfil his potential
The youngster has impressed in recent weeks for the Gunners and revealed advice from Robin van Persie and Thierry Henry has helped him become a better player
07-Feb-2012 8:11:46 PM
By Shane Farrington
Getty Images
Arsenal forward Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has revealed he uses feedback from his fellow team-mates to improve his game, and is confident he will continue to develop.
The 18-year-old arrived at the Emirates in the summer after pleasing crowds for Southampton, but he had struggled for appearances in the Premier League before making his debut against Manchester United.
The talented youngster followed up an impressive display against Sir Alex Ferguson's side by bagging a brace in a scintillating performance against Blackburn Rovers during the Gunners' 7-1 win on Saturday, and is keen to improve his game even further.
“I'm one of the least experienced players in the squad so any player who gives me a comment always helps me, whether it is positive or constructive criticism,” he told reporters.
“I listen to everybody. People like Thierry [Henry] and Robin [van Persie] who score goals and are attacking players like myself, you can always learn a lot from them. That's all I do, I listen and learn.
“I have belief in myself and in my own ability. I just know that I have to keep working hard and learn off the boys, and then hopefully the rest will come. At the moment it's going quite well for me so I'm just going to keep working hard.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been strongly tipped for his first England call-up for their upcoming friendly with the Netherlands and grabbing a place in Fabio Capello’s Euro 2012 squad, but the teenager is refusing to get ahead of himself.
He added: “It's been a tough challenge but I knew when I signed that I had to work hard and take little bits from everyone around me.
“There's quality players at this club and a quality manager so you just have to learn from everyone. I've just tried to take it in my stride and keep developing my game.
“[In terms of Euro 2012] I am just focusing on Arsenal at the moment and I'm also in the England Under-21 squad. All I can do is focus on what I am involved in.
“Obviously it would be very nice [to play in the tournament] but I just have to keep my feet on the ground and take it step by step.”
The 18-year-old arrived at the Emirates in the summer after pleasing crowds for Southampton, but he had struggled for appearances in the Premier League before making his debut against Manchester United.
The talented youngster followed up an impressive display against Sir Alex Ferguson's side by bagging a brace in a scintillating performance against Blackburn Rovers during the Gunners' 7-1 win on Saturday, and is keen to improve his game even further.
“I'm one of the least experienced players in the squad so any player who gives me a comment always helps me, whether it is positive or constructive criticism,” he told reporters.
“I listen to everybody. People like Thierry [Henry] and Robin [van Persie] who score goals and are attacking players like myself, you can always learn a lot from them. That's all I do, I listen and learn.
“I have belief in myself and in my own ability. I just know that I have to keep working hard and learn off the boys, and then hopefully the rest will come. At the moment it's going quite well for me so I'm just going to keep working hard.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been strongly tipped for his first England call-up for their upcoming friendly with the Netherlands and grabbing a place in Fabio Capello’s Euro 2012 squad, but the teenager is refusing to get ahead of himself.
He added: “It's been a tough challenge but I knew when I signed that I had to work hard and take little bits from everyone around me.
“There's quality players at this club and a quality manager so you just have to learn from everyone. I've just tried to take it in my stride and keep developing my game.
“[In terms of Euro 2012] I am just focusing on Arsenal at the moment and I'm also in the England Under-21 squad. All I can do is focus on what I am involved in.
“Obviously it would be very nice [to play in the tournament] but I just have to keep my feet on the ground and take it step by step.”
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