Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain believes that the growing level of competition within the England team is a good thing for all involved.

The Arsenal attacker is one of a host of top young players to have made the squad for Wednesday’s friendly with Denmark as Roy Hodgson steps up his plans for the World Cup.

The Three Lions coach is believed to be willing to test inexperienced players between now and the summer as he looks to settle on his final 23, which has been reflected by call-ups for the likes of Luke Shaw, Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley and Adam Lallana.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is likely to be involved in tough a battle for a spot in the squad, but he is happy with the amount of quality and depth in the current set-up:

"It is definitely the biggest England squad that I've been in. It is nice to see a lot of faces of your peers and people you play in the Premier League every week," he is quoted by The Express.

"To get everyone together is exciting and the competition for places ups the level and tunes everyone in. That can only be a good thing."

Oxlade-Chamberlain went on to lavish special praise on England newbie Shaw – whom he saw come through the Southampton youth ranks while at the club:

"He has been absolutely outstanding this season. He has matured and been consistently playing at an unbelievable level.

"Growing up at Southampton, where he was a few years younger than me, I have always known he is a fantastic player.

"He has shot up, grown physically and taken that maturity into first team. It has been a rapid rise but he has taken it really well."

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