Pat Rice gives Oxlade-Chamberlain club and international backing
Arsenal assistant manager, Pat Rice, says that summer signing, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, will be a success at the club and challenge Theo Walcott on all fronts.
Walcott is currently a part of Fabio Capello’s midfield setup, but Rice claims that 18 year-old Oxlade-Chamberlain will provide considerable competition.
The £12m signing became the youngest Englishman to score in the Champions League when he netted the opener in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Olympiakos.
Rice noted: “He has a big, big challenge to now get in front of Theo. It all bodes well for England anyway.”
The assistant noted: “He has good people around him and they are telling him all the right things. Alex is very friendly with Theo and no doubt he will give him the benefit of his experience as well.”
The former Southampton winger is in good form, scoring in two consecutive matches after his goal against Shrewsbury in the Carling Cup earlier in the month, and will now be looking for more game time in the Premier League.
Rice, having been at the club for over 25 years, will know only too well a good youth talent when he sees one, spending part of his Emirates career as youth team coach in the 80s.
Oxlade-Chamberlain will now be looking to utilize the advice given to him, and challenge his compatriot for a starting spot in the Arsenal and England squads.
