Ox gets Adkins praise

Nigel Adkins is proud of the way Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has developed since leaving Southampton - but vowed to stop him and Arsenal.

The 19-year-old graduated from the south coast club's academy and helped Saints to automatic promotion from the third tier in his only full season there in the first team. Oxlade-Chamberlain's performances saw him join Arsenal for a fee rising to £15million last summer and he could now face his former club at the Emirates Stadium. Adkins is proud of the way the winger has developed since leaving St Mary's and, while he would love him to be lining up for Saints, takes pride in his performances. He does, though, hope the winger has an off day. "I am very proud," Adkins said. "I think everybody should be proud because he has come through our system. We said at the time we would have loved him to have stayed with us because this is where we wanted to be. "We wanted Alex to be playing for us in the Premier League, but as a League One player he made the decision to then move. He has done fantastic there. I think if we can give them (players) the right principles in life and the right standards in how they conduct themselves, they can improve. "It is always a joy to watch him play. You want him to do well for England, and for himself and his family at his football club. On Saturday, though, it is about us winning so we will do everything we can to get that win."