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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Arsenal stars looks up to Dani Alves ahead of FA Cup Final
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN has been warming up for the FA Cup final by watching Dani Alves for tips on how to master the art of the wing-back, hoping it will give him a big part in the Wembley showpiece.
Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looks up to Dani Alves
Oxlade-Chamberlain did not play in the 2014 final win over Hull because of injury and made only the briefest of cameos 12 months later when they beat Aston Villa.
After recovering from a hamstring problem this week he hopes to start against Chelsea, having studied footage of Juventus star Alves.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has flourished at wing-back since manager Arsense Wenger’s recent switch to a Chelsea-style three-man defence.
He said: “When you watch Dani Alves recently, they might not play five at the back but when he plays, he marches on and adds a lot attacking as well as his defensive play.
When you watch Dani Alves recently, they might not play five at the back but when he plays, he marches on and adds a lot attacking as well as his defensive play
“You watch and learn from people like that. I take note of anyone – Tottenham play with that formation, Chelsea have – there are a lot of teams.
“I watch all the full-backs, the left-back, the right-back. I look at their starting positions and positions out of possession. That doesn’t come as naturally to me.
“When I get the ball, I have learned to take people on and bring that side of my game out.”