Theo Walcott and Alex oxlade-Chamberlain were team-mates of Arsenal last season. This weekend they go head-to-head as rivals Merseyside.
Oxlade-Chamberlain broke a six-year stay in North London, when he moved to Liverpool last summer, while Walcott followed him to Merseyside in January, when he announced that 12 years from the gunners to sign Everton.
Ahead of Saturday’s sky live showdown, the preparation for the reversal of the Derby foes reunited for a taxi tour of their new city as they lift the lid on its Arsenal, to leave, to respond to their criticism and to explain why their “biggest game of the season” means that subtleties in one direction…
Everton vs Liverpool
April 7, 2018, 11:30 am
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‘Big brother, little brother’
Oxlade-Chamberlain: “the first time I remember I was 14 years old and younger in Southampton; he had just moved to Arsenal, but returned to talk to us. He was a superstar and he told us that geed me up. It was a great inspiration, and then, when the opportunity came for me to follow in his footsteps, I wanted to do it. I met him the first day and he put me right under the wing. Even when I moved here, he gave me some really good words. This, of course, big brother, little brother relationship.
Walcott: “we just hit it off. I wanted to encourage Alex to Express himself almost immediately at Arsenal and it worked, no doubt. We had good times on and off the field”.
To Leave Arsenal
Oxlade-Chamberlain: “it was a very difficult decision. It’s an honor to play for a club like Arsenal. This is an amazing place to play, he was steady, you build relationships, but I felt the need to do this for football reason to try and better themselves. I loved every minute of it so far. He’s always been terrible, coming here as an opponent, but the crowd gives you goose bumps. To hear how they sing for you, unbelievable.”
Walcott: “I feel that it was the right time. The loyalty I have for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger meant that I could do it the right way. It was time for me to experience something different, but still be competitive. The season started not the way we wanted, but Everton are going in the right direction.
“I never knew that it was going to be like it was at Arsenal for so long and goes somewhere completely different, but the fans accepted me and were so friendly. I’m happy as important for them, it’s one of the reasons why I came here, because I feel that they are competitive and want to improve. The first time went on “Goodison Park” … you can’t explain it. Then, when I scored my first goal, the emotions came out. He was going again to enjoy the football.”
Control and criticism
Oxlade-Chamberlain: “I understand that it can be hard when you’re playing a TOP club. There are a lot of people who got a lot of things to talk constantly. Sometimes they are true and sometimes they are not. For me, when they are true, I don’t mind hearing it. I take criticism well and I agree with her when it is deserved. It’s when people start to say something that is not quite right, that’s when it can become frustrating. You will learn how to block and accept You can’t make everyone happy. This is the key for me. Some people will think that I am good and others will think I’m not that good, as simple as that.
Walcott: “if you do it right it will show. I am one of those who blocks it. Some players may feed and be glad that some pressure on people giving you stick, because then they want to make a point to prove them wrong. Every player wants to prove people wrong, but if you do it for yourself and you are happy in yourself, your family happy, your coach is happy and all the people happy, that’s the main thing.”
‘No friends on the football field
Oxlade-Chamberlain: “at what point in a friendship you postpone for the weekend? Perhaps, when we leave the cabin! The fact that he got a t-shirt at everton it won’t be hard to put the friendship on hold”.
Walcott: “I respect Alex, and I’m not going to be rude to him, but I know there’s work to do. I’m going to be focused on what I need to do to help Everton to try and get a result that hasn’t happened in a long time. Alex is a good friend, but as soon as the referee blows the whistle no friends on the football field. We don’t know what it’s going to be like because we’ve never experienced. It will be interesting. But we want to win for our teams, it’s that simple.”
‘Game season’
Oxlade-Chamberlain: “every time we play against Everton in the match of the season. You can say that if we succeed in the Champions League and move on, these games will be, but for Liverpool and Everton, this Derby game of the season. We were a little disappointed not have got three points in the first game at Anfield, so we’ll be there to make our revenge. It will be really exciting, the fans take to the streets, going to warm up and hear the Boos… it’s hot! Fans of Liverpool will be singing their hearts; we hope that we can give them something to shout about and spoil the day Theo!
Derby day goes to sky Sports, Everton play Liverpool and Manchester United host man city in a potential League title was decided in the last round
Walcott: “You could drown, though – it was so loud that “Goodison Park”. It will be a very passionate match. I’m quiet, until you lose your coach and get into the locker room. That’s when my game face on. Up to this point it doesn’t matter what happened this season. It is a game and it’s my first Derby here. I can’t wait.”
To watch Walcott Everton will take Oxlade-Chamberlain to Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby this Saturday. The ceremony will start from 11.30 am on sky sports the Premier League and the main event.
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Sourse: skysports.com
