Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been speaking to the Arsenal matchday programme about facing his former side, a club he still holds close to his heart.

The Ox was picked up by Southampton when he was just seven and made his debut for them in 2010 when he was just 16 years and 199 days old.

Arsenal soon plopped £15m + add-ons on the table and the Ox headed north to join Theo Walcott in the Arsenal treatment room.

“The Southampton fans have been brilliant to me, both at home and away,” the Ox said.

“That’s something I appreciate. I had really good times there and of course it was the platform to me coming here. I remember how special winning promotion there felt – and looking back on it, that was the beginning of them getting back to where they are today.

GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN - AUGUST 07: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal during the Pre-Season Friendly between Arsenal and Manchester City at Ullevi on August 7, 2016 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images)
GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN – AUGUST 07: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal during the Pre-Season Friendly between Arsenal and Manchester City at Ullevi on August 7, 2016 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Nils Petter Nilsson/Ombrello/Getty Images)

“I’ve always had a good relationship with the club and I hope it will be no different this season. It was my home and there’s still a part of me that feels a connection to the club.”

Ox also spoke about what it feels like to face his former side, adding, “Yeah, actually the other day I was thinking about how often I’ve played against them now.

“Despite that, it sometimes still feels like I was only just there. It feels like these five seasons have flown by.

“I think it’s probably more special for me to go to Southampton, because it brings back memories of my childhood playing football there.”

The Ox has also been speaking about how he wants to show how much he needs to be playing. Here’s to a big season for him, and one that is injury free.

He certainly deserves it.