Former Stoke City star Mark Chamberlain is proud seeing son Alex making his way at Arsenal.

Like his dad, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is quick, strong, balanced. Like his dad, he plays on the wing, although many believe he will eventually operate in the centre, behind the striker.

"There are similarities," Mark told the Daily Mail. "Especially with the speed. He's progressing, playing in the first team and breaking into the Under 21s. But he thinks I played a hundred years ago, when footballers were rubbish. He wonders how I could have been quick when I can't even get up the stairs."

Chamberlain is 49 but looks younger. Until, that is, he has to bend and twist for a photograph and the old footballers' knees come into play.

"This is a better age to be a footballer," he said. "I went to the Arsenal training ground and if I were a player I would never have wanted to leave.

"It's better financially but I wouldn't swap what I went through for what Alexander will have to handle. We had a good time and enjoyed it without the intense scrutiny. He's got to handle that. It's going to be difficult but they get a lot of spin-offs."