Nigel Adkins "very proud" of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's progress

Southampton manager Nigel Adkins has said that he is "very proud" of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's development at Arsenal since leaving his side last summer.

The 19-year-old winger came through the Saints' youth system and helped them gain promotion to the Championship at the end of the 2010-11 season.

Oxlade-Chamberlain then joined Arsenal and after an impressive season was included in England's Euro 2012 squad.

"I am very proud," Adkins is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News. "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."

Adkins added that it is "a joy" to watch Oxlade-Chamberlain play.

"He has done fantastic [at Arsenal]," he continued. "I think if we can give [the 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."

Southampton are away at Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday.