All Guns blazing says Ox

ALEX OXLADECHAMBERLAIN knows he and his Arsenal team-mates need a big performance in the Champions League this week.

The midfielder was once tipped by many to become an England regular but his progress has stalled in recent seasons.

However, OxladeChamberlain, 23, says he is ready to step up to the plate having finally got his head around the high expectations that are placed on him.

And he is desperate to help the Gunners get a result against Basel at The Emirates on Wednesday.

He admits he has learned some tough lessons since arriving at Arsenal but believes he can now fulfil his potential and said: “As I’ve got older, the pressure on myself and the expectations go up.

“You need to find a way to manage that. It’s not until the last six months to a year or so that I’ve fully got my head around how to go about that, dealing with expectations on me and my own expectations.

“Now it’s focusing on how to push myself further and better myself as a player.”

TONY STENSON