Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been speaking about the trials and tribulations of pre-season training to the official club website.
The 21-year-old is currently in the first week of his sixth pre-season, fourth with Arsenal, and he says it does get easier as the days go by, but it remains difficult to get started.
He told Arsenal Player: “It is horrible!
“The first week is hell. We’re on day two now and it’s hard work. It’s a lot of running, crying, sore muscles, painful massages – it’s horrible but this is my sixth pre-season including Southampton now and you get used to it.
“You know what you’re in for and I think that’s why you enjoy your holiday whilst you have the chance because once you come back here it’s not too much fun for the first three weeks until you get back into the season.”
A number of Premier League clubs are continuing their pre-season tour abroad with West Bromwich Albion in Austria and Aston Villa travelling to Portugal.
The Gunners, on the other hand, are leaving for Singapore soon to play in the Barclays Asia Trophy, competing with fellow Premier League sides Everton and Stoke City and a Singapore Select XI.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, who previously played for Southampton, says he is looking forward to being welcomed with open arms in Asia again.
“Every time we’ve been to Asia the support has been amazing.
“It never fails to surprise you, even if you’ve seen it before in another Asian country, the support when you go.
“You see that fanatical support, sometimes for you personally and sometimes for the club and it really does take you by surprise. Hopefully the people will give us a nice welcome and hopefully when we’re there we can put on a nice show for them as well.
“You have to push yourself hard to get back to Premier League standards and level of fitness. Playing Premier League teams like Everton or Stoke, whoever it may be, is obviously a good test for us and will get us back to where we need to be.”
The England international will be hoping to have an injury-free pre-season so he can impress Arsene Wenger and start the new season on the right foot.
The 21-year-old appeared in 23 leagues matches last season despite facing much of the season on the sidelines.
