Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has explained why he chose to join Arsenal in the summer.

Liverpool and Manchester United were also linked with the Southampton superkid last season.

"I always used to watch Arsenal and I loved the way they played football," he said. "I think it was the manager, stadium and fans that sold it for me.

"The boss is a massive influence in the game and he is such an intelligent man. The stuff he says, you have to sit back and can only admire. Even in his team talk for today, the stuff he says is brilliant.

"You always learn stuff from him. He has a quiet word every now and again but the stuff he says is spot on. You think 'yeah, actually I didn't realise that and thank you.' He's just a fantastic man and I think the way he thought he could develop my game really pushed me towards Arsenal.

"It's a massive club and nights like this prove it. I came to a few games last season - the Barcelona one here when they won - and I was blown away so that was it."