Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 'I had a kick up the backside after being dropped'

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 06 October 2016

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says that he received a "kick up the backside" when he was dropped from the England squad under Sam Allardyce.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has claimed that being dropped by England provided him with a "kick up the backside".

The Arsenal midfielder missed Euro 2016 with injury and was not included in Sam Allardyce's squad last month due to a lack of form.

Oxlade-Chamberlain managed to earn a call-up to the most recent squad selected by Gareth Southgate, who is in interim charge of the Three Lions following Allardyce's sacking.

"[Being dropped] provided a kick up the backside," Oxlade-Chamberlain told reporters. "I have been playing for England since I was 18 and, while I wouldn't say I took it all for granted, it just seemed to be a part of my season - to play for Arsenal and to play for England. It was a jolt.

"I am not young now. I am 23, so you need to be performing and playing as much as you can to deserve a chance to go and play for England. Being back in the setup makes me realise how special it is."

Oxlade-Chamberlain will try to earn a place in the team for World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia.