Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has opened his Premier League goal account, but he will not be getting carried away by the hype surrounding his performances.
Gunners starlet delighted to be doing his bit for the collective cause
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has opened his Premier League goal account, but he will not be getting carried away by the hype surrounding his performances.
The 18-year-old has been in stunning form for Arsenal over recent weeks, helping to justify Arsene Wenger's decision to splash out £12million on his services.
The highly-rated forward was always considered to be one for the future, with the Gunners reluctant to demand too much from him during his debut campaign.
He has, however, forced his way further into Wenger's thoughts as the season has gone on and has rewarded his manager's faith with a number of eye-catching displays.
The latest of those came against Blackburn on Saturday, as he bagged a brace in a 7-1 win, but Oxlade-Chamberlain insists he takes greater pleasure from helping the team than improving his public image.
Chances
"It was an enjoyable day for everyone," he told
Sky Sports.
"We knew we had to bounce back after the 0-0 away at Bolton and the amount of chances we created there but failed to score. We knew that if we created chances eventually we would take them and today, by the scoreline, I think we did take them.
"We have been looking for that all season and I think we are back to normal ways now. We just have to take this as a positive step and keep pushing on.
"It's always nice to be on the goal sheet but, for me, it's about the team not the final score. But it was nice to score and to have a brace at the same time in the Premier League, I am very happy with that."
Oxlade-Chamberlain was turning out for Southampton in League One last season and admits it was wise of Arsenal to ease him gently into Premier League life.
He said: "It's been a tough challenge, but I knew that when I signed.
"I just knew that I had to work hard and take bits from everyone around me. There are quality players at this football club, as everyone knows, and a quality manager. I have just got to learn from everyone. I have to take everything in my stride and keep developing my game."
England
Reports suggest Oxlade-Chamberlain could be fast-tracked into the England squad for Euro 2012, but he claims to have given no thought to his chances of stepping up into the senior fold.
He said: "Not really. First things first, I have to keep my place in the Arsenal team and keep doing well for this football club.
"I am involved in the U21 squad at the moment, so that is what I am focusing on. Until that happens, I can't really comment on that.
"Obviously it would be nice, it's what I aspire to do as a footballer, but I have to keep my feet on the ground and keep working hard."
