Exclusive - Mark Chamberlain reveals why AOC chose Arsenal ahead of Man United

Mark Chamberlain has revealed his son chose Arsenal over Manchester United because he was so impressed with the way they play football.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain left Southampton for the Emirates last summer, for a fee of around £12million, having come through the youth system at St Mary’s.

Chamberlain Snr, himself a former Stoke and Portsmouth midfielder, has admitted the England Under-21 winger had so much admiration when playing against the Gunners’ youth teams that he chose Arsene Wenger's side over a host of other top clubs, including Manchester United.

“There were a few big clubs in for him [during the summer],” he told talkSPORT. “We spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson at Man United.

“But he’d played against Arsenal’s academy for many years and, while Southampton always got beaten, he admired the way they played.

“He’d always say ‘why can’t we play like Arsenal’? When the opportunity came along, Arsenal’s a massive club [so he had to take it].”

Chamberlain Jr is pushing hard for a place in England’s Euro 2012 squad following some impressive performances for Arsene Wenger’s side.

And ex-England winger Chamberlain Snr claims his son’s experience in the Champions League proves  he’s ready for the international stage.

“I don’t want to sound presumptuous but I expect the England set-up to have a look at him,” he added.

“He’s played in the Champions League and, if you can do that, that’s the equivalent of playing international football.”