Oxlade-Chamberlain on course for England debut against Spain
Published:Fabio Capello’s comments immediately following England’s 2-2 draw with Montenegro means 5/6 may prove a good price that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gains a first international cap in the current calendar year.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has already made a promising impression for Arsenal this season with a Champions League goal against Olympiakos and the severe slump of form of Andrei Arshavin is only likely to offer him more first-team opportunities.
However, it is the performances of the 18-year-old on the international stage that may have made the bigger impression.
Oxlade-Chamberlain scored a hat-trick for England under 21s away in Iceland and he is already an outside contender to be a member of the England squad for Euro 2012.
Capello has already hinted that he will give some new youngsters an opportunity in the upcoming friendly with Spain next month, having already given international debuts to the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Danny Welbeck in 2011.
He said: “I think for this game I will select young players some players that will play for the first time at Wembley. It will be interesting.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain, Tom Cleverly and Kyle Walker are among the young stars who may get a start against Spain as they look to prove their credentials early that they are ready for a spot on the plane to travel to Ukraine and Poland next summer.
It is 4/1 that Oxlade-Chamberlain does make the final squad for Euro 2012, while it is 20/1 that he reduces the record of Arsenal teammate Theo Walcott and becomes the youngest player to ever score an England senior hat-trick.
Oxlade-Chamberlain will also be hopeful of eclipsing the eight England caps achieved by his father Mark.
