Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Why I rejected Manchester United and Tottenham to sign for Arsenal

Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has revealed the chance to join Manchester United and Tottenham – because of Arsene Wenger.

The 23-year-old moved to the Gunners on a £12million deal from Southampton in 2011 and had attracted interest from a host of Premier League clubs.

The winger revealed yesterday that he may have to leave the Emirates this summer in the search for first-team football but he remains one of the brightest English talents.

Manchester United, Spurs and Liverpool had all made moves for Oxlade-Chamberlain before his move to the Gunners but the winger, who was speaking alongside his father on Goals on Sunday, has revealed it was Arsene Wenger that made up his mind.

‘I’ve always liked Arsenal and growing up watching the way they played and the whole feel of the club, it just seemed like something I’d love to be a part of,’ said Oxlade-Chamberlain.

‘I think obviously, Arsene, to be part of it, he is one in the process, he seemed like he knew the most about me.

‘When my dad spoke to Arsene he seemed to have a vision for me and a bit more insight into where he thought I could go and what he wanted for me.

‘That was almost like the icing on the cake and then from then on it was an easy decision.’

The winger’s father, Mark, has revealed he even had a phone call from Sir Alex Ferguson before his son sealed a move to north-London.

‘I had a phonecall from Sir Alex [Ferguson],’ Mark Chamberlain, Alex’s father, revealed.

“I think Tottenham were interested. Liverpool, Arsenal, Man United, Tottenham. Not bad at all.’