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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, now a free agent, is eyeing a Premier League comeback in the January transfer window.
The former Arsenal, Liverpool, and Southampton ace saw his contract with Besiktas terminated in August after a two-year stint in Turkey. Currently training with Arsenal's U21s and participating in practice matches against Manchester United and Watford, 32-year-old Oxlade-Chamberlain is keen on returning to English soccer's top flight.
The veteran midfielder believes he can be a role model for young players. In a chat with The Athletic, Oxlade-Chamberlain affirmed: "I feel like I can add value on the pitch but also show the right way to train, the right way to act on and off the pitch.
"I'm in the bracket now where I've been lucky enough to play for top clubs, win things, and work with top managers. I know a lot more now than I did when I started out."
Drawing inspiration from Premier League stalwarts such as Brighton's Danny Welbeck and James Milner, with whom he shared the England dressing room, Oxlade-Chamberlain is also encouraged by the contributions of his former Liverpool colleague Jordan Henderson at Brentford. "(They are the) perfect example," Oxlade-Chamberlain pointed out.
"It shows you that, if you look after yourself and work hard, you can still be effective.
"And knowing Welbz, I just know the value that having him and James Milner - two very different characters - will bring to that dressing room in terms of the standards they set. In some aspects, I don't feel any older than I did at Arsenal.
"I struggle to think of myself as 30. I've always thought you don't retire before you're 35, but I guess I'm into the business end of it now, where you've got a lot more perspective on everything, and you have a lot more reality thrown at you than when you're 21.
"I want to play. I don't feel old. I'm fit, and I've still got that hunger."
Mikel Arteta's endorsement could be the boost Oxlade-Chamberlain needs, with the Arsenal boss praising his character. "Top. Top character. One of the best characters I've met in football," Arteta hailed.
"If we can help him and give him the space for him to get up to speed and have the capacity to find a club. It's a joy; the boys will learn from it. I had the privilege to play with him, and if he is around, he will be a really good role model to have around the team."
Oxlade-Chamberlain has made more than 400 appearances at club level and represented England 35 times between 2012 and 2019. He's won several trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League with Liverpool.
The midfielder started his career at Southampton before securing a high-profile move to Arsenal in 2011. He played 198 times for the Gunners before moving to Liverpool in 2017.
Oxlade-Chamberlain was initially a key player for Liverpool, playing 42 times during the 2017-18 season before a serious knee injury ended his campaign. He took on a supporting role after that but still made 146 appearances for the club before leaving in 2023. He went on to make 50 appearances for Besiktas, winning the Turkish Cup.
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