Midweek Sport

OX ON CHARGE FOR EURO SPOT

Young Gunner dreaming of sensationa­l England call

- By MIKE MCGRATH

ARSENAL starlet Alex Oxlade-chamberlai­n is dreaming of playing for England at Euro 2012 – after just THREE Premier League starts!

The speedy wideman hit his first league goals for the Gunners in their 7-1 mauling of Blackburn on Saturday.

And even though he is trying his best to only think about improving for his club, he admits thoughts of playing for the England senior team enter his head.

The Ox said: “Obviously it would be very nice to play at Euro 2012 but I just have to keep my feet on the ground and take it step by step.

“I’m just focusing on Arsenal at the moment and I’m also in the England Under21 squad. All I can do is focus on what I am involved in.

“I have belief in myself and in my own ability. I just know that I have to keep working hard and learn off the boys, and then hopefully the rest will come.”

Oxlade-chamberlai­n says being surrounded by quality players like Robin van Persie and Thierry Henry – before he heads back to the USA next week – is helping him learn.

The Ox added: “I’m one of the least experience­d players in the squad, so any player who gives me a comment always helps me, whether it is positive or constructi­ve criticism.

Fracture

“I listen to everybody. People like Thierry and Robin, who score goals and are attacking players like myself, you can always learn a lot from them.

“That’s all I do, I listen and learn.

“At the moment it’s going quite well for me, so I’m just going to keep working hard.”

Jack Wilshere is using an ultrasound device in an attempt to speed up recovery from injury.

The Arsenal and England midfielder has not played since picking up a stress fracture on his right ankle during pre-season.

Last month he suffered a setback when he felt pain while running and confirmed he had a stress fracture on his heel.

The 20-year-old posted a picture of his ankle attached to the device, which is designed to help fractures.

 ??  ?? UP AND DOWN: OxladeCham­berlain is flying high but Wilshere (inset) is gutted after suffering another injury setback
UP AND DOWN: OxladeCham­berlain is flying high but Wilshere (inset) is gutted after suffering another injury setback

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