Euro call-up is surreal, admits teenager Oxlade-Chamberlain
UNCAPPED Arsenal starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain admits he was stunned by his inclusion in England’s squad for next month’s European Championship.
The 18-year-old, who has made just six Premier League starts, only found out yesterday morning when manager Roy Hodgson telephoned to break the good news.
“I would have probably laughed if someone had told me I would be in the Euro 2012 [squad] a year ago,” said the midfielder.
“For everything to happen as quickly as it has, it has been surreal and I don’t think it has really sunk in properly yet.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain is yet to earn a senior cap but has shone on rare outings for the Gunners this season, following last summer’s move from Southampton. He added: “I know I haven’t made it and I have a long way to go but this is the first step in what I hope to be a long and successful international career.”