Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain admits Liverpool were the only club for him despite strong interest from Chelsea
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN has revealed Liverpool was the only club he wanted to join, despite strong interest from Chelsea.
The England star quit Arsenal to make the Deadline Day switch to Anfield for £35million after six years in North London.
The Ox made it clear all summer he had no intention of extending his contract at Arsenal and it looked odds-on he was on his way across London to Stamford Bridge.
But despite the Premier League champions agreeing fee with the Gunners, the 24-year-old opted to join Liverpool and work under Jurgen Klopp.
The midfielder will travel to the Etihad looking to make his debut in the Saturday lunchtime showdown against Manchester City.
He told Sky Sports: “The first thing was the tough decision to leave Arsenal.
“That was the only thing that was really tough for me and the deliberation but Liverpool was the only option for me in terms of where I thought I would be playing.
"The team and the feel of the whole football club in general just sat right with me.
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“I think there are really exciting things to come here and especially with this manager so I felt it was right for me to push to be a part of that, I'm delighted that I finally got the opportunity to."
Oxlade-Chamberlain left Southampton to join Arsenal in 2011 and followed Theo Walcott from the St Mary's Academy to North London.
He scored 20 goals in 198 appearances for Arsene Wenger’s side and after winning thre FA Cups for the Gunners, he admits it feels strange to known as a Liverpool player.
The Ox added: “It's very exciting but obviously a bit surreal at the same time.
“When you're at one club for so many years, you become accustomed to that so any change is a bit weird and odd and difficult at first but looking forward, it's something that really excites me for sure."
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