Arsene Wenger continues to believe that young midfield sensation Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain should be called up to the England squad for the European Championships this summer. ‘The Ox’ picked up a brace in Saturday’s game against Blackburn Rovers with Arsenal running riot against 10-man Blackburn, ending the game with 7 goals.
England have an international friendly coming up against Holland on the 29th of Feb, and when questioned whether he believed Oxlade-Chamberlain was ready for a call-up, Wenger astutely replied, “Would you be surprised? I would not.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain continues to be a revelation in the second half of this season, and it is pretty clear already why Wenger spent 12 million for the youngster. When quizzed why he had not used the former Southampton man earlier in the season, Wenger matter of fact replied, He was not ready earlier in the season. He has made a big step in the last months. He produces team play, he is not only going forwards, he is contributing to the defending and has improved very quickly. He is a fighter as well, with personality. He is much more mature now.”
While a chance to show Fabio Capello what he can do might come later this month against Holland, a trip to the European Championships ahead of some more seasoned pros might be just a little too early for the teenager.
One thing is for certain though, Alex is showing much more promise than Theo Walcott did when Sven-Goran Eriksson picked the then Arsenal youngster in his World Cup squad in 2006.
