The great player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is hoping to carry on England's recent
tradition of successfully unleashing teenage tyros at major tournaments
when he heads to play Euro 2012 next month. From Michael Owen's player
electrifying performance against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup to
Wayne Rooney's player dazzling displays at Euro 2004, England have been
unafraid to give youth players its head at international level games.
While
there are risks in picking unproven talent witness player Theo Walcott's
inclusion in England's 2006 World Cup squad Oxlade-Chamberlain has
done enough in his short career to suggest that his selection might pay
off. Used sparingly by Arsenal this game season following his transfer
from Southampton, the 18-year-old demonstrated frequent flashes of
precociousness in his 16 first team appearances.
A sparkling nice
performance for Arsenal in their 3-0 Champions League win over AC Milan
in February persuaded England manager Roy Hodgson that the attacking
midfielder deserved a place in his squad.
Hodgson is adamant that
player Oxlade-Chamberlain's selection will not be a repeat of Walcott's
ill-fated sojourn in Germany six years ago, when the teenager never
kicked a ball during England's campaign game.
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