Oxlade-Chamberlain thanks Arsenal hero Henry for giving him belief

Arsenal forward Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has thanked Thierry Henry for the words that gave the youngster the belief that he belonged in the Premier League, the Daily Telegraph has reported.



Waiting in the tunnel to play Manchester United in January, Oxlade-Chamberlain, 18, was approached by Henry, who took the former Southampton player in a friendly headlock and said: “I’ve been watching you in training. You have a bit extra…Don’t waste today…show the world what you can do, work hard.” Oxlade-Chamberlain admits Henry’s advice made him grow in confidence while the Telegraph adds that the player excelled in the match despite Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat.

Henry was back at Arsenal on a brief loan from New York Red Bulls, the Major League Soccer side Henry joined after leaving Barcelona in 2010. On his return to the Premier League Henry made seven appearances and scored three goals. They came in his first match back against Leeds United in a 1-0 FA Cup win, one of seven Arsenal plundered against Blackburn Rovers and a late winning goal against Sunderland that kept up Arsenal’s challenge for third place in the Premier League. read more