Source: Daily_Mail
Arsenal snub proves we won't cave in over Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, says Southamton chief
Great expectations: Winger Oxlade-Chamberlain[LNB]Southampton chairman Nicola Cortese has told Arsene Wenger that he did himself no favours with his public pursuit of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.[LNB]Saints starlet Oxlade-Chamberlain remains a target for Wenger after the Arsenal manager failed to sign him during the January transfer window.[LNB]Liverpool are also keen on the 17-year-old winger but Cortese, determined to keep hold of him beyond the end of the season, believes he has delivered a message to the Premier League big guns.[LNB]Referring to Wenger speaking out about his desire to sign Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cortese said: 'It definitely did not help their cause - it is as simple as that.[LNB]'From the club's point of view, we could have just cashed in but we care about the boy. [LNB]'I do believe that for Alex the best place for him to progress over the next 18 months is here in Southampton with us. We know him inside out, he knows us inside out.[LNB]'We honestly believe that a Premier League club could not offer anything more to the boy than we can offer apart from playing in the Premier League. [LNB]'In terms of development and all the other aspects that are important at this age, we can deliver the same standards.'[LNB] He added in The Telegraph: 'I have experienced a lot of things over the past month about the behaviour of some of the Premier League clubs. Some have really behaved very well, very professional, great attitude.[LNB]'Others didn't even call me and simply sent a fax. No communication, nothing. It gave the impression that they didn't care about the boy. They didn't give you an indication of what they want to do with the player. What happened with those faxes is they went straight into the bin and I didn't even respond to them.[LNB]'What has happened with Alex is a signal; we don't do everything we do just for the sake of pushing players out to cash in.'[LNB] Arsenal continue pursuit of young Southampton star Oxlade-ChamberlainIs Southampton's Oxlade-Chamberlain really worth ?10million?Fergie turns up heat on Arsenal after praising Oxlade-ChamberlainAll the latest Arsenal news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:Places: Liverpool
