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Oxlade-Chamberlain keen for derby action

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored on his European debut © PA Photos

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Arsenal starlet Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is confident he will be able to deal with the hostile environment of the north London derby, and is hoping to be called in to action at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is pushing for a place in Arsene Wenger's starting line-up for this weekend's clash at Tottenham after making an impressive start to his Arsenal career.

The 18-year-old became the youngest Englishman to score in the Champions League on Wednesday night when he grabbed the opener in the Gunners' 2-1 win over Olympiacos. Meanwhile, Theo Walcott's participation in the derby is in doubt after the 22-year-old suffered a knee injury in last Saturday's 3-0 win over Bolton.

"I have heard the boys say it's a hostile environment in the derby but it's a new challenge for me. I am just going to keep taking it all in my stride and keep learning from everything I see," Oxlade-Chamberlain said.

"The one last season - the 3-3 - that was a fantastic game and I think that epitomises the derby so it's going to be exciting. I was at home watching it on TV supporting Arsenal, of course."

Oxlade-Chamberlain signed for the Gunners from Southampton in a £12 million move last month. The winger has put himself in direct competition with Walcott for a place on the right flank after scoring in successive games, but as a former Saints player himself, Walcott has been keen to strike up a friendship with the new Gunners player.

"I sit next to Theo in the dressing room and he has helped me along, especially when I came in as a new, young lad. He knew how I felt coming from Southampton,'' Oxlade-Chamberlain said.

"I have been watching Theo because I have been playing on the wing at the moment and I am just trying to take from his game and learn from the stuff he does."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.