Ox - I won’t let anything faze me

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says the secret behind his dazzling run of form is that he will not allow any team or opponent to faze him.

The 20-year-old missed five months of the season with a knee injury, but has been one of the Gunners’ stand-out performers since his return in January.

The England international was superb in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw at Bayern Munich, and he says the European champions did not intimidate him.

“Generally [nothing fazes me] on a football pitch,” Oxlade-Chamberlain said. “I’m not too fond of snakes or spiders, though!

“When I go on the pitch I try to play without fear. I have respect for all the opponents I have, especially those that play for Bayern, but you can’t go out there with fear or it will only be a negative.

“I just try to do what I do, whoever I play against, and keep the same mindset and try to show that on the pitch.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain has won a host of plaudits for his effervescent displays, but he insists he still has much to learn - especially when playing centrally.

“I have got work to do on improving my game in midfield, sides to the game that I haven’t had as much experience of playing as yet,” he said. “But I could say the same [about playing] out wide, as there are areas of my game to improve and keep working on.

“I’m trying to make sure I’m more consistent and putting in good performances more regularly. When I do get an opportunity in central midfield I try to take it.

“But it is not about me, it is about me using my qualities to help the team and drive us forward to create opportunities. That is what I aimed to do [at Bayern] and what I will always try to do.”