Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has recently admitted that as a child his loyalty flirted between a couple of clubs and claims that Gianfranco Zola and Gunners legend Thierry Henry were his idols.
The 22-year-old has been a regular in Arsene Wenger’s side this season but has struggled to find the back of the net; his only goal coming in the Community Shield against Chelsea. However, he has helped guide Arsenal to second place at the moment – only two points behind leaders Manchester City.
As a child, Oxlade-Chamberlain admitted didn’t support a single club and was instead more focused on individual players such as Zola and Henry.
I wasn’t the most loyal fan as a boy, I’m not going to lie.
I used to support Zola and Henry so whenever Chelsea or Arsenal were playing and those two were playing, I would support them and the team.
However, the Ox admitted that as he grew up he learned to love Arsenal’s style of play and the club as a whole – a factor that impacted on his move to the Gunners.
As I grew older, as I understood football more, watching the whole Arsenal team and how they used to play, that’s what I fell in love with and that was a massive part of why I chose to come to Arsenal at the time I did.
I never really supported a team. I used to love Arsenal but I’m from down south so could never come to games.
Back in his Southampton days, Oxlade-Chamberlain admitted that it was difficult for him to watch many football games because of where he lived and so made the most of ball-boy opportunities to watch senior football games.
I think the only games I used to ever be able to go to was as a ball boy at Southampton. They used to let the Academy boys be the ball boys down there.
I wasn’t the best football fan back in the day but just loved watching and supporting players.
Arsenal currently sit second in the Premier League and are hot on the tail of Manchester City. If the Gunners are to mount a successful title bid then Oxlade-Chamberlain will be crucial for Arsene Wenger’s side and so they will hope that his recent strike for England will boost his confidence in front of goal.
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