Arsenal target Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: I am ready for the Premier League

FA Cup,Alex Chamberlain,Southampton vs Manchester United(Getty Images)

Related Links

Teams

Players

Southampton‘s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says he believes he is ready to play in the Premier League.

The 17-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Saints, with Arsenal said to be interested, since bursting onto the scene in League One last season.

Southampton gained promotion to the Championship with Oxlade-Chamberlain’s help, but he is now looking to follow in the footsteps of Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale by making a move to the Premier League.

“I just feel that I am ready to play in the Premier League,” he told Mirror Sport.

“I think I can take a lot of encouragement and confidence from what Theo – and Gareth Bale at Spurs – have done.

“When you look at a player like Jack Wilshere at Arsenal, he was only a year above me in the ­academies.

“There’s no barrier on the age you have to be to play in the Premier League. If you’re good enough, you’re old enough. Hopefully I’ll get the opportunity to prove that.”

The England Under-21 starlet made 41 appearances last season, scoring 10 goals and recording nine assists in the process.

He was included in the PFA League One Team of the Year last term, and Arsenal are believed to be keen to push a deal through for the youngster.

Oxlade-Chamberlain gave no hints on where he would like to go in the Premier League, but says he has ambitions of playing for England in the future.

He added: “At this point I feel I am ready. I am still young and I still have time to go into a Premier League set-up and learn.

“I want to play in the Premier League, for England and to get to the highest level.

“If I am developing more as a player I have a better chance of developing as a full-time international and making the full England squad.

“That’s what I want to achieve. I just hope it comes about.”

Our  provides the best breaking news online and our  football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!