Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says this current Arsenal squad is the best one he’s been involved with since he joined the club in 2011 from Southampton.

The overall quality of player has improved significantly over the last couple of years, since the signing of Mesut Ozil, and the depth of squad has left the midfielder excited ahead of the new season.

As well as that, he says that there’s a togetherness in the dressing room that can help Arsenal achieve success.

“It’s the best,” he said. “There are two men for every position, pretty much, and you’d struggle to pick between the two as to who should play. Everyone is on their toes.

“I just think that the way we are working together combined with how many quality, talented players we have got then I would say it’s the strongest.

“Our best players are now staying and we are adding to them. It gives us the best chance. I do think that with this squad now we’ve been together for a number of years and everyone has bought into it.

“For me, it’s a surprise when you speak to lads at other clubs and you find out there are certain cliques within their dressing room. It surprises me because at Arsenal it’s not like that at all and it’s never been like that.”

And with pressure on for the Gunners to mount a title challenge, the former Southampton man believes it’s within their grasp.

“We are definitely close,” he said. “We’ve been close at different points in the past few years but this year I’m really excited because I’ve got a lot of faith in this team.

“You have to get off to a good start and then you have to keep the momentum going. If you manage that it gives you a good chance.

“I could sit here all day saying what we will and won’t do this year but at the end of the day talking wins you nothing. We need to prove ourselves out on the pitch.”

It’s difficult not to be impressed when he talks, and if he can play half as well as he does that, he’s going to be sensational this season.