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It might not be the first time that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been asked who he thinks will end up on the Iron Throne, but the relish with which he attacks the question suggests it is more likely than not.

"Khaleesi is losing the plot a little bit,” he offers enthusiastically. “But I think they're doing that on purpose.

“They're making you think she's losing, but she's got those dragons up her sleeve."

For the uninitiated, the Arsenal man is talking about hit television show Game of Thrones, and he’s got plenty to say.

“I'd like to see Jon Snow up on that throne,” he continues, lending backing to his favourite character, “but Khaleesi is gonna win those dragons back at some point and she's gonna cause some problems for people.”

A personable, mature young man, it is easy to forget that Oxlade-Chamberlain is just 21 until you begin to question on him on his off-the-field passions. Then his eyes brighten with a youthful exuberance and a smile spreads across his face, hanging around as he discusses a whole range of subjects including television series – he likes Breaking Bad just as much as Game of Thrones, although the latter keeps killing off his favourite characters – and music, which also forms a big part of his matchday routine:

“Pre-match I always listen to music right from the hotel room through getting ready.

“Music gets me happy,” he adds. “It gets me excited.”

(Image: C1)

Oxlade-Chamberlain has every reason to be excited.

The Ox was speaking on set for a new BT Sport Film around its charitable initiative The Supporters Club which explores the positive influence football has on young people.

And approaching his 100th game in an Arsenal shirt (not to mention his 20 international caps already) there is a real chance that he could crown his finest career season to date with another FA Cup winners’ medal. That will be defined this Saturday, although whether he recovers in time from an injury will dictate whether he can play any part in the Wembley showpiece. Having already suffered the heartbreak of missing both cup finals in his career, however, it would represent another tough break for the midfielder.

12 months ago as Arsenal looked to end their nine-year trophy drought, a groin injury meant that, despite playing a key role in getting them that far, The Ox was forced to sit out the final.

"It was a really difficult one,” he says, pensive but still bright-eyed. “It's not a nice feeling. Especially when you feel that you have been influential.

In pictures: Arsenal win the FA Cup 2014

“Last year I'd been injured three weeks and only came back a few days before the match and the manager felt the other boys who'd been playing and training were more ready.

“It was a disappointing one to take, especially because when I was at Southampton in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final I was in a similar situation. Alan Pardew said to me ‘I'm leaving you out today because I feel like you'll be back here in the future a lot,’ and then the second one comes along and I miss it as well!”

After a season in which he finally established himself as a first-team regular in Arsene Wenger’s side, claiming his best goals and assists record yet, he is loath to miss out for a third time. But only time will tell if the former Southampton man will recover to walk out onto English football’s most famous turf this weekend.

(Image: Getty)

"I don't know [if I’ll make it]. I hope that I'll be fit and I'll be available but it will be up to the manager to decide if he think I'm fit and I'm ready.

"I did feel [this season] was my best campaign. Gametime is obviously a plus - I felt like I was getting my fair share of that and I felt strong. For the first time I was an important part of the team.

"When you're a young lad in a team like Arsenal you feel like, of course, you deserve to be at the club… but you're on the periphery and there are world class players and more experienced players around you.

(Image: Paul Gilham)

"[This season] especially, I felt like I found my own role in the team that was important to our team.”

He has found himself a new role away from it too, fronting

which explores the positive influence football has on young people by charting football-inspired journeys, from Sheffield to Tanzania.

Yet for a young man whose journey has already seen injuries prevent him playing an FA Cup final and featuring at a World Cup, Oxlade-Chamberlain exudes no palpable bitterness. He acknowledges that niggles in the recovery have inhibited him slightly (“I felt that there was more in the tank”) but he’s sure he is “getting there.”

“I’m nearly there now.”

Whether he will be ‘there’ in time to exorcise his Wembley demons he simply doesn’t know yet, but Arsene Wenger is the man with the final choice:

"That's completely up to him and in his hands, all I can do in training is prove my worth and show that I'm ready.

"The main thing is that whoever is picked goes and gets the job done and two FA Cups in two years would be a great achievement for us.

"Obviously I'd be delighted if I was but it's up to the manager and we'll have to wait and see.”

Quickfire round

Ketchup or mayo? Ketchup

Cats or dogs? Dogs

Messi or Ronaldo? Messi

Jaffa Cakes or Jammy Dodgers? Jaffa Cakes

Game of Thrones or Breaking Bad? Oooh. Don't know. Both!

Paris or New York? New York

Chicken or egg? Chicken

Q+A:

Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain presents a new documentary, Football Stories with The Ox, which explores the positive influence football has on young people and highlights the work of The Supporters Club, BT Sport’s charitable initiative. It premieres on BT Sport 2 on Sunday May 31 at 3.30pm and online at thesupportersclub.org