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Southampton forward Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has reiterated his desire to get in the Premier League ‘bus’ and make the move to a top club as soon as possible. The young striker has been on the radar of clubs like Arsenal for a long time, and has already had multiple bids rejected by The Saints.
The player feels like he’s ready for Premier League action and mixing it with the big boys of English football and has told the Southampton chairman this, according to reports. Arsenal are renowned for nurturing and developing young talent and giving them opportunities not usually afforded at big clubs, so it is understandable that Oxlade-Chamberlain is eager to make the switch.
Speaking to English media outlet The Sun, the player said-
“I’ve heard Arsenal are in for me and to join a top-four club is what I hope for.
“When the bus comes along, you have to jump on it and make the most of your opportunities.
“It’s not every day you get a chance like that. I believe in my own ability and that I have what it takes to play in the Premier League.”
Chamberlain admitted that Southampton have played a vital role in his development so far and helped mould him into the exciting prospect that he is today. But he confessed that the time is right for him to make the step-up and move to the fast lane of top-tier English football.
He said-
“I’ve had a chat with the manager, Nigel Adkins, about my situation and expressed my feelings to him.
“I talked about how I wanted to be playing in the Premier League as quickly as possible and he has been really understanding.
“I’ve been at Southampton since I was seven and enjoyed every minute of it. They’ve brought me up in a really good way.
“The fans and the manager have been great and the club have made me what I am today.
“But I feel it’s time for the next step. The way I see it, the Premier League is where I aspire to play. You aren’t at the top of the game until you get there.
“I could spend a year in the Championship and, though this might sound negative, I could get injured and that opportunity might be lost.
“The next year another young star could come through and the opening might not come around again.”
It remains to be seen whether Southampton soften their stance on the Chamberlain issue and if Arsenal cough up the amount to take him to the Emirates. Stay tuned for more in this regard.
