Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Leaving Arsenal for Liverpool was the hardest decision I have made - but I'm not sorry

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain of Liverpool at Melwood Training Ground on September 6, 2017 in Liverpool, England
"I can't apologise for my decision to leave. I want to get more out of myself" Credit: Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has described his decision to leave Arsenal for Liverpool as "the hardest I've ever had to make" but said he would offer no apologies for quitting the Emirates.

The 24-year-old England midfielder could make his debut for his new club against Manchester City in the lunchtime clash today at the Etihad Stadium. He says he was enticed to move north because he feels Jurgen Klopp can improve his game although he admits turning his back on Arsene Wenger was a wrench.

"Saying thank you and goodbye to the manager was definitely very difficult," Oxlade-Chamberlain tells The Times. "It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make. I was there six years, good and bad times, shared a lot of experiences with great people.

Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool with Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Jordan Henderson during a training session at Melwood Training Ground on September 7, 2017 in Liverpool, England
Klopp says Oxlade-Chamberlain can play four positions in Liverpool's current set-up Credit: Getty Images

"I want to thank the Arsenal fans who've always supported me. But I can't apologise for my decision to leave. I want to get more out of myself. I felt the main thing was taking myself out of my comfort zone. That's why Liverpool shouted out for me.

"You can see how the team play, how he [Klopp] instils that intensity in the players. I feel that kick up the backside would be good for me."

Klopp expressed his delighted at securing the £35million move for Oxlade-Chamberlain, pointing to his versatility as a huge plus.

"In the system we use at the moment, he can play in four different positions," the Liverpool manager said. "He can play in both the number 8 roles and in both wide roles.

‘He is a very good football player. He is good in small spaces. Really good in big spaces. A good dribbler. A good passer. ‘We want to have him on the pitch as often as possible.’

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