Oxlade-Chamberlain compares new Arsenal mentality to Liverpool’s title-winning core

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says returning to train with Arsenal has felt like “being a kid in a candy shop,” and his comments have offered a revealing look at how the club has changed since his departure in 2017.

The 32-year-old has been working at London Colney for several weeks as he searches for a new club, joining sessions with the under-21s and occasionally linking up with senior players as he builds fitness.

He says he contacted Per Mertesacker about training with the academy group and was encouraged by the quick approval from Mikel Arteta.

Arteta described him as “one of the best characters I met in football,” and Oxlade-Chamberlain admits the welcome left him humbled and determined to “help some of the younger players.”

He has taken part in practice matches against Watford and Manchester United and says he “feels good physically” after getting significant minutes in midfield.

His reflections on Arsenal’s transformation since his first spell were among the most striking parts of the interview.

He says everything at London Colney now feels “bigger” and “elite-level,” highlighting the expanded staff, the club-wide alignment and the clarity of Arteta’s structure.

Oxlade-Chamberlain says the current Arsenal environment is “the perfect one,” and he believes the mentality behind the scenes resembles what he experienced at Liverpool during their title-winning years.

He stopped short of claiming inside knowledge of the first-team dressing room, but he says the intensity of training and the collective direction “have everything you need to be really successful.”

His praise for individual players was extensive.

He highlighted Declan Rice’s rise into “another stratosphere,” described Martin Odegaard as a leader by example and called Gabriel Jesus “really impressive” after spending time with the forward during his recovery from an ACL injury.

He also singled out academy trio Max Dowman, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, saying their talent and maturity at such a young age “really impressed” him.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was similarly positive about Arteta’s development as a manager.

He says the Spaniard “leaves no stone unturned” and credited his mix of tactical ideas and detailed preparation, including set-piece work, for Arsenal’s progress.

He declined to reveal specifics but said the thoroughness of the staff provides the team with “different ways to win football matches.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain remains a free agent after leaving Besiktas in August, and while opportunities abroad have emerged, he says he still has “unfinished business” in English football and wants to play regularly again.

He insists he feels fit, motivated and “not ready to call it quits by any means” as he looks for the right club to continue his career.

The post Oxlade-Chamberlain compares new Arsenal mentality to Liverpool’s title-winning core first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.