---
title: "Oxlade-Chamberlain – I never supported a team, but always loved Arsenal"
canonical: "https://readarsenal.com/2015/10/14/oxlade-chamberlain-i-never-supported-team-always-loved-arsenal/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Sam Baker"
section: "Arsenal News"
published: "2015-10-14T17:18:25Z"
modified: "2015-10-14T17:18:25Z"
---

# Oxlade-Chamberlain – I never supported a team, but always loved Arsenal

Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain [has recently admitted](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/611925/Gunners-star-Arsenal-favourite-Chelsea-idol-Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain-Emirates) 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.

![Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readarsenal.com/readarsenal/2015/10/482750108.jpg)

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.*

![Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readarsenal.com/readarsenal/2015/10/484417697.jpg)

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.