Arsenal ace reveals advice from Man Utd’s Van Persie

Monday, February 4, 2013
12:06 PM

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain still has Robin van Persie’s advice ringing in his ears as he bides his time to become a first team regular at Arsenal.

The 19-year-old has yet to nail down his place in Arsene Wenger’s side but insists he is prepared to be patient, and says Van Persie had some words of wisdom for him last season before he left for Old Trafford.

“I can remember last season, Robin van Persie came and spoke to me,” Oxlade-Chamberlain told Arsenal’s official website. “He said, ‘when I was first at the club, I didn’t start, the boss used to take me in and out’.”

He added: “Look at the season he had last season, he was a key player. It was the same with Theo. You’ve got to bide your time, especially when you’re young.

“I’m only 19 years of age and I’m at Arsenal Football Club. I know I’ve got to bide my time, and maybe this is one of those times.”

The youngster was handed a start in the 1-0 win against Stoke on Saturday and he knows he has to make the most of the opportunities that come his way.

“Just to get a start was really important to me, and I know that when I get the opportunity, I’ve got to make sure I try and take it,” he said.

“It’s always nice for the confidence when you get a run of games.

“I had a few a couple of weeks ago, I think I played maybe five or six games on the spin and that was nice.

“I’ve got to expect to sometimes be pulled out because we’ve got so many talented players at this football club.

“Everybody wants to play so you’ve got to take being taken out of the team sometimes, let someone else have a go and make sure you’re ready to come off the bench and affect the games and help the team.”