The Arsenal Society VIII

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Arsenal's intention to sign Southampton wonderkid Alex Chamberlain while his dad Mark believes The Gunners are the ideal choice.

The 17-year-old is regarded as one of England's brightest talents and he has already turned heads with a series of impressive displays for the League One outfit.

Chamberlain, who is the club's second-youngster player behind Theo Walcott, already has six league goals to his name from just 24 league appearances.

Although Manchester United and Liverpool are both keeping tabs on the teenager's services, although it seems that Arsenal could be the front-runners for his £10million-rated signature.

"We will try now," Wenger said. "We need an agreement with Southampton.

"We need an agreement with the player, and we are not the only ones on the case.

"But we try as hard as we can as I like him as a player."
Ideal choice

Alex's father Mark, who played for England between 1982-84, believes Arsenal are his son's ideal destination due to their ability in nurturing talent.

Wenger is known for his ability to snap up footballing talent and moulding them into first-team regulars, such as Cesc Fabregas, Walcott and Jack Wilshere.

"Arsenal, with the manager there, they way play and how they develop players I think they are the ideal choice," he told Sky Sports News.

"I am his dad. I've worked with both. They both got different attributes. Theo has already played 100 Premier League games for Arsenal, played for England and has scored a hat-trick. He's a really good player.

"Alexander is a little different. He's a bit better technically. He's more of a central midfielder player than a wide player.

"He's coping very well. It's all speculation. It's the time of the year when things do happen. I think if anything is happening the club will keep us notified."

Focus

Southampton manager Nigel Adkins acknowledges it will be a challenge for the youngster to focus his efforts on his game despite the intense speculation surrounding his future.

"It must be challenging for any young man and we've tried to deal with it as best as we can and be concentrated on the job in hand," said Adkins said.

"He's getting fitter and stronger and that's the important thing."