Paul Merson: 'Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain lucky to play for England'

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has suggested that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would not have been considered good enough to play for England 20 years ago.

In August, Liverpool shelled out £35m to sign the versatile midfielder, who struggled to command a regular place in the Gunners' starting lineup in a six-year spell in North London.

The 24-year-old is expected to start for England in Thursday's World Cup qualifier with Slovenia, but Merson claims that the player does not deserve to be in the squad.

Merson told Sky Sports News: "You look in midfield and Oxlade-Chamberlain will be very fortunate to play. In my day and age he wouldn't even be in the squad.

"That's the problem now, the squad virtually picks itself. There's not a huge amount of depth and it is harder to get out of the squad than it is to get in it."

Oxlade-Chamberlain is yet to start a Premier League or Champions League match for Liverpool.