RVP advice a real lift for Chamberlain
express
Robin Van Persies advice a real lift for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
THE WORDS of a champion are still ringing in the ears of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Robin van Persie took the young Arsenal winger to one side before departing for Old Trafford and warned of what might happen during a second top-flight season that Oxlade-Chamberlain admits has not been all plain sailing.
Robin spoke to me last summer. It was the end of my first season and I was on a bit of a high, he said.
He said, Dont get frustrated if you get held back a little bit and things dont go your way so much. It happened to me.
Those words have been a comfort to the 19-year-old as he has dealt with the pressures that followed an explosive arrival which justified his £12million transfer from Southampton in 2011.
And he should get the chance to say thank you in person when United visit the Emirates tomorrow.
By then, another of his inspirations may have helped Arsenals rivals for Champions League football take a narrow lead when Gareth Bales Tottenham take on Wigan this afternoon.
When he started at Spurs he wasnt playing so much and look at the season hes having, said Oxlade-Chamberlain of Bale. You can say the same about Theo Walcott. He was in and out in his early days at Arsenal. Its all part of being a young player.
Oxlade-Chamberlain scored twice in his first three games for Arsenal and became the youngest English goalscorer in Champions League history when finding the net against Olympiakos. The season ended with a call-up to the England squad for Euro 2012.
Arsene Wenger has been protective this season, giving him 17 starts and 12 appearances off the bench.
At times it has been frustrating and difficult, he admitted. When Im kicking myself, beating myself up, I have to take a step back and realise Ill still be 19 at the start of next season.
To be where I am, I am still very happy. I know Ive got a lot of learning to do, a lot of improving to do, and Im working hard
THE WORDS of a champion are still ringing in the ears of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Robin van Persie took the young Arsenal winger to one side before departing for Old Trafford and warned of what might happen during a second top-flight season that Oxlade-Chamberlain admits has not been all plain sailing.
Robin spoke to me last summer. It was the end of my first season and I was on a bit of a high, he said.
He said, Dont get frustrated if you get held back a little bit and things dont go your way so much. It happened to me.
Those words have been a comfort to the 19-year-old as he has dealt with the pressures that followed an explosive arrival which justified his £12million transfer from Southampton in 2011.
And he should get the chance to say thank you in person when United visit the Emirates tomorrow.
By then, another of his inspirations may have helped Arsenals rivals for Champions League football take a narrow lead when Gareth Bales Tottenham take on Wigan this afternoon.
When he started at Spurs he wasnt playing so much and look at the season hes having, said Oxlade-Chamberlain of Bale. You can say the same about Theo Walcott. He was in and out in his early days at Arsenal. Its all part of being a young player.
Oxlade-Chamberlain scored twice in his first three games for Arsenal and became the youngest English goalscorer in Champions League history when finding the net against Olympiakos. The season ended with a call-up to the England squad for Euro 2012.
Arsene Wenger has been protective this season, giving him 17 starts and 12 appearances off the bench.
At times it has been frustrating and difficult, he admitted. When Im kicking myself, beating myself up, I have to take a step back and realise Ill still be 19 at the start of next season.
To be where I am, I am still very happy. I know Ive got a lot of learning to do, a lot of improving to do, and Im working hard
