Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s star has risen considerably in the last 12 months. From Southampton to Arsenal to starting for England at Euro 2012, he’s come a long way.

Yet anyone who thinks he might rest on his laurels couldn’t be wrong, and the youngster is keen to ensure he continues to gain from the experiences offered him.

Speaking to ESPN Star, he said, “I approach this season with the exact same mentality as I did last year. I’m still one of the youngest in the squad and still very inexperienced and I have to keep working hard and keep my head down.

“I just want to keep learning from everyone else in training and whenever I get my chance, I just have to play well and that’s what it is for me this season.”

And although many of the club’s big name players aren’t on tour in Asia, Oxlade-Chamberlain believes the togetherness fostered on tour will be good for him and the team in general.

“Last year I joined only after pre-season so I wasn’t part of the tour,” he said. “I’ve loved every minute of it. To come to a place like Malaysia with all the boys, it just adds to the excitement and you get to learn about different cultures.

“Everyone talks about team bonding and when you travel together, it just brings everyone at the club together.”

Arsenal kick off the footballing side of the pre-season tour with a game against Malaysia XI tomorrow.