Thursday 6 October 2016 08:26, UK
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says he has woken up to his "special" England place after never speaking to Sam Allardyce during his 67-day reign as the national team manager.
The Arsenal winger missed out on Allardyce's only squad in charge of England for their first World Cup qualifier against Slovakia in September, while a knee injury ruled him out of Euro 2016 earlier this summer.
England interim manager Gareth Southgate named Oxlade-Chamberlain in his 23-man party for the upcoming fixtures against Malta at Wembley on Saturday and Tuesday's trip to Slovenia though, and the Gunners midfielder admitted Allardyce's lack of communication has had a positive effect on him.
"It provided a kick up the backside," said the 23-year-old. "I have been playing for England since I was 18 and while I wouldn't say I took it all for granted it just seemed to be a part of my season - to play for Arsenal and to play for England.
"And so to be available and to be feeling good and fit - to not be in, yeah, it was a jolt.
"It was a wake-up call. I am not young now, I am 23, so you need to be performing and playing as much as you can to deserve a chance to go and play for England.
"So I wouldn't say I had taken it for granted but being back in the set-up now makes me realise how special it is and it is something I want to keep happening in the foreseeable future.
"I didn't speak to Big Sam at all. I guess he had a lot to do what with it being his first game as England manager so I didn't expect to get a call from him. I had hoped to be involved.
"There are a lot of young players now that are doing really well and it's not an easy squad to get into. You shouldn't just be able to walk into an England squad."
Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has not played for England in a year, posted several Instagram pictures working out in the gym while on holiday when the last squad met. However, the Arsenal forward insisted he was not making a point to the former England manager as he "didn't think Sam had Instagram".
The former Southampton player also revealed why he could not watch a number of England's games at Euro 2016.
"I didn't watch the first few because I was just gutted I wasn't there and I tried to switch off from it but I always found myself tuning in for the end to watch the last moments of it," he said.
"Then the Iceland game, when we got through to the next round, I made sure I watched the boys.
"At that point I wouldn't say I was over not being there but I was a little bit more accustomed to it and I was doing my rehab.
"So I watched the Iceland game and I was just as disappointed as everyone was. You put out the players that played against Iceland, or any England team that plays against Iceland, and nine times out of 10 we should win. The ability is obviously there and then I guess the psychological part of it is massive, but whether that's a big factor I'm not sure."
Oxlade-Chamberlain praised Arsene Wenger's abilities after the Gunners boss revealed he was open to "one day" managing England, but said he has been pleased with Southgate's start.
He said: "Everyone knows about Arsene Wenger - what a great manager. But right now there's a lot going on and all I'm focused on is Gareth and he has just come in. The first few days working with him has been brilliant. They've made the boys feel relaxed and confident with what they're trying to do."
