Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain picks loyalties between Arsenal and Liverpool | Football | Sport
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has revealed his time at Arsenal was the happiest time of his life, despite his successful tenure at Liverpool. The England midfielder represented both Premier League powerhouses earlier in his career. After progressing through Southampton’s academy, he transferred to Arsenal in 2011 and made a total of 198 appearances for the north London club, contributing to their three FA Cup victories. In 2017, Oxlade-Chamberlain moved to Liverpool for a fee of £35 million.
His time at Anfield was marked by significant success, with victories in the Premier League, Champions League, League Cup and Club World Cup. Speaking on Fozcast, the now 32-year-old explained that while his personal life was more fulfilling during his time at Arsenal, his professional career was certainly more rewarding at Liverpool.
He explained: “(At the time he was enjoying his football the most) I was happiest in one sense of life, at Arsenal. I had a lot of friends – I had a lot of mates from home who were at university, didn’t have kids, didn’t have a wife, so they always came to the games.
“We had a good group of young players at Arsenal – me, Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Emmanuel Eboue, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Carl Jenkinson – those sort of guys who were all young, doing the same thing, at the same time, and loving it and having a good time.”
“From a footballing point of view, a few seasons at Liverpool were just incredible. I was playing with a group of guys to achieve something special, and when you achieve that something special you realize: ‘This is what it’s all about’.
“The 18/19 season and then the year we won the championship – 19/20 – were, from a footballing point of view, the best years I had in a group of guys who I saw every day working hard to achieve something – and we did it.
“The fans there, everything about that place was just amazing and special. It was the happiest (I was) but I had times at Liverpool where it was the most difficult. Especially the last year or two, the year I was injured in 2018 and then the last two where I was struggling to play and then I wasn’t playing as much.
“From a lifestyle point of view and without thinking too much, Arsenal was amazing. Amazing club, great place, great players, and you’re in London – it’s great fun. Then the two years at Liverpool were just amazing.”
The midfielder actually made his return to Arsenal this week, after being offered the chance to train with the Gunners to maintain his fitness. He remains a free agent after his departure from Besiktas.