Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has the craft, guile and brains to become an Arsenal great. That is the opinion of coach Pat Rice after the Oxo Kid scored on his Champions League debut in last night’s 2-1 win over Olympiakos at the Emirates.
At just 18, he became the youngest English scorer in the competition, with Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere close behind him.
With Arsene Wenger serving the final match of his European ban, Rice took charge and was full of the praise for the £12million capture from Southampton in the summer.
He said: “Alex can go inside, he can go outside, he’s got that injection of pace and what he needs now is to be consistent in his play. I am sure that is something he will be working on because he’s certainly not a stupid boy.
“He has good people around him and they are telling him all the right things. Alex is very friendly with Theo and no doubt he will give him the benefit of his experience as well.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain was playing for Southampton in League One at Yeovil this time last season and is fully aware of the step up he has made. He said: “It’s a big step up, but I want to play at the top level and I have plenty more time to play in the Champions League.”
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