Oxlade-Chamberlain: No favours at Saints

Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hopes old club Southampton will have enough about them to stay in the Barclays Premier League, but will be going all out to maintain the Gunners' momentum with a fifth-straight win on New Year's Day.Oxlade-Chamberlain came through the Southampton Academy before catching the eye of several top-flight clubs and eventually following Theo Walcott from St Mary's to Emirates Stadium in a big-money move last summer."I hope they do stay up. They have got goals in them, but it is just defensively," said Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was on target as Walcott netted a hat-trick in the 7-3 win over Newcastle on Saturday. "That, though, is hard for anyone in the Premier League because there is so much attacking ability."The 19-year-old has developed quickly under the guidance of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, going on to win full England honours and a place in the squad for Euro 2012.Despite some positive displays, Southampton remain in the relegation zone after they drew 3-3 at Stoke in a match they had led 3-1 and were only denied victory by a superb last-gasp strike by Cameron Jerome.Oxlade-Chamberlain is still in contact with many of the current Southampton squad, having played alongside the likes of James Ward-Prowse, Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Jose Fonte and Ricky Lambert.Striker Lambert netted his eighth Premier League goal in the Stoke match and Oxlade-Chamberlain knows Arsenal will have to be on their guard against the powerful forward, who also hit the target when Manchester United visited St Mary's earlier in the season."He is a natural goalscorer, has the physique and is good in the air, a typical old school centre forward and also has a great free-kick on him," said Oxlade-Chamberlain. "He is always a threat, so we will have to watch out for him."Meanwhile, fellow former Saint Walcott has hinted he could be close to signing a new deal with the Gunners. Walcott, whose contract ends in the summer, said in The Sun: "I'm sure that something will be sorted very soon."I've always said I wanted to stay and I enjoy playing for this team. Now we will just see what happens. I will continue to play my football and let the people who look after me and the club talk to each other and go from there."

Source: PA