Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has said that his call up to England's Euro 2012 squad has capped a whirlwind 12 months in his life.
The 18-year-old only joined Arsenal from Southampton at the beginning of last season, but will now be part of Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad in Poland and Ukraine.
The teenager has earned rave reviews for his 15 appearances in a Gunners shirt so far, which has helped him to win his first international cap against Norway.
Oxlade-Chamberlain said that it is strange to think that he watched England's 4-1 defeat to Germany in South Africa in a pub with his friends, but now he will be part of the squad that is challenging in Poland and Ukraine just two years later.
"It has been a whirlwind, how quickly it has gone," said Oxlade-Chamberlain. "I remember playing in games for Southampton like Dagenham and Redbridge away, on a cold Tuesday.
"It has been a mad 12 months - it has gone so quickly. I went home the other day to see my friends in Southsea, we drove past the pub where we watched the England v Germany game when [Frank] Lampard scored the goal which was disallowed.
"I was sat with my best friend. He said: 'it is unbelievable how two years ago we were in there watching it and now next tournament, you are with all the boys'. This puts stuff into perspective. It has been an amazing journey. I want to now work hard and make my future bright."
Arsene Wenger signed Oxlade-Chamberlain for a reported £12m fee.
Michael Penkman
