Pearce praises Arsenal winger Oxlade-Chamberlain

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

The England Under-21s manager, Stuart Pearce, feels Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain can only get "better and better", both for club and country.

The 18-year-old Arsenal winger is in line to face Iceland in tonight's European Under-21 Championship Group Eight qualifier in Colchester, having scored a hat-trick in Reykjavik last month.

"Alex has played extremely well for us, so he is an improving talent," Pearce said. "He's a very level-headed lad and it's important they have a sensible head on their shoulders to see them through not just the good times, but the bad times."

PA