Chamberlain – From Arsenal massacre to England call-up in just nine months

The newest Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain can’t believe his meteoric rise to an England call-up just nine months after making his debut for the Gunners in the 8-2 massacre against Man United.

He said: “I couldn’t imagine going from what happened at Old Trafford, which was totally embarrassing, to going to the Euros.

“I’d come on as sub when we were only 3-1 down — so you might blame it all on me! It’s something I never want to experience again.

“Now to get the call from the England manager is unbelievable. He told me I was being selected on merit and that he’d put me in the squad because he felt I could help the team.

“He mentioned that he’d seen me do well against AC Milan when I played in central midfield and that it was up to me to prove him right.

“Straight away that gave me a massive incentive to know you have a manager who believes in you and trusts you. It brought a big smile to my face.

“I’m going to do everything to show he was right to pick me.”

That sounds like Hodgson fancies him playing in the Rooney role, so perhaps he will get a chance to prove himself in an early game while Rooney is banned. Chamberlain has only made 15 starts for Arsenal in his career, but he could come back from the Euros as an England hero. Meteoric indeed!