Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has explained how his current spell training with the Arsenal u21s came about, and how the club now seems to be geared for success.
Former Gunner Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been back training with the Arsenal u21s recently, playing multiple sessions and a behind-closed-doors friendly with the team.
As for how his return to the club came about, the midfielder told The Athletic this week that his connection to old teammate Per Mertesacker proved pivotal.
“I spoke to Per,” Oxlade-Chamberlain explained. “I asked him if it would be possible to come and train with the under-21s, and I explained how I thought I could add value as well by working with the young players.
“Per liked the idea, and then he obviously had to get that signed off internally.”
After Arteta called Oxlade-Chamberlain “one of the best characters I met in football” in a recent press conference, the player admitted he took extra motivation from the comments.
“It was quite humbling and nice to hear, and it makes me even more determined to help them by helping out some of the younger players and sharing my experiences,” Oxlade-Chamberlain said.
As for being back on the pitch in last weekend’s 3-0 u21 friendly win over Manchester United: “It was great. Great to get some minutes and I feel good physically.”
After a while away from Arsenal, The Athletic also asked Oxlade-Chamberlain whether he felt the club are now in a better position to win the biggest trophies than during his previous spell.
“[It’s] the perfect environment,” Oxlade-Chamberlain insisted. “I can’t speak about the (first-team) dressing room, because I’m not part of that.
“But from the structure I’m seeing and the way they conduct themselves and the intensity they train with, they’ve got everything you need in order to be really successful.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain is training with Arsenal as a free agent as he searches for a new club, having most recently played for Turkish club Besiktas. He terminated his contract in August, freeing him up to join a new club even after the transfer window closed.
The player has received offers from around Europe since then, but he wants to remain in England with his wife, son, and their second child on the way.