Wednesday, 6th February, 2013

Arsenal attacking midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has revealed that he is taking inspiration from Robin van Persie when it comes to waiting for his chance to solidify a first team spot.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has started just ten of Arsenal’s 25 Premier League games so far this season and the 18-year-old is not yet a regular name on Arsene Wenger’s team-sheet.



But he understands that establishing himself at the Emirates Stadium will take time; the 19-year-old has also failed to finish nine of the ten games in which he has started in the Premier League.

"I’m only 19 years of age and I’m at Arsenal Football Club", he told his club’s official site.

"I know I’ve got to bide my time, and maybe this is one of those times. Just to get a start [against Stoke at the weekend] was really important to me, and I know that when I get the opportunity, I’ve got to make sure I try and take it", he continued.

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"It’s always nice for the confidence when you get a run of games. I had a few a couple of weeks ago, I think I played maybe five or six games on the spin and that was nice. I’ve got to expect to sometimes be pulled out because we’ve got so many talented players at this football club."

The England international also admits that he is taking a lesson from former Arsenal striker Van Persie, who has told him that patience is definitely needed when it comes to cementing a regular place in the side.

"Everybody wants to play so you’ve got to take being taken out of the team sometimes, let someone else have a go and make sure you’re ready to come off the bench and affect the games and help the team", said Oxlade-Chamberlain.

"I can remember last season, Robin van Persie came and spoke to me. He said ‘When I was first at the club, I didn’t start, the boss used to take me in and out’. Look at the season he had last season, he was a key player. It was the same with Theo [Walcott]. You’ve got to bide your time, especially when you’re young."

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been handed a big vote of confidence by Arsenal already this season, with the Gunners signing him to an extended contract which runs until 2018.

The attacking midfielder is also tipped to be a vital part of Roy Hodgson’s England squad in the lead up to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

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