Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain confident Arsene Wenger will help him fulfil potential

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been playing for Arsenal sooner than may have been expected (GETTY IMAGES)

England Under-21 international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is confident Arsene Wenger will help him fulfil his potential at Arsenal.

The 18-year-old has impressed on his four appearances for the Gunners this season following his £12million summer move from Southampton, scoring against both Shrewsbury in the Carling Cup and Olympiacos in the Champions League.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to feature for the under-21s at Colchester in tomorrow night's European Championship Group 8 qualifier with Iceland, against whom he smashed a hat-trick in Reykjavik last month.

Despite his rapid progress, the youngster is determined to take things one step at a time.

Oxlade-Chamberlain told Arsenal Player: "It is a work in progress and I don't think there's any need to rush into things. I trust the boss (Wenger) and he is going to develop me.

"I knew that when I signed here it would be hard for me and that maybe in my first season I wouldn't get a lot of game time.

"But I'm learning so much in training from the likes of Robin van Persie and the rest of the boys - and the manager as well.

"I have only had a few appearances, but I have scored two goals and I am happy with that."

Oxlade-Chamberlain added: "I think there's a lot more to come from me so I am just going to keep working hard, keep learning in training.

"It is down to me, I have got to put pressure on the boss to select me.

"I can only do that by training well and, when I do get my chance, impress him.

"The boss has said it is up to me, he is going to work with me the same way I have to with him."

England have won all three of their qualifying matches to lead the group as they look to reach the 2013 finals in Israel.

Oxlade-Chamberlain believes Stuart Pearce's squad are bonding well.

"If you do get on with (your team-mates) it makes it a lot easier to play, train and work hard together," he added.

"The new team that's being put together is really good - we have a lot of youth mixed with the older heads."

PA