Following a well-trodden path from Southampton to the Premier League - with Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott making successful careers for themselves since moving - Chamberlain joined Arsenal for around £12 million a week before the 2011-12 season.

Coming through the ranks at Southampton, he made his debut at 16 years and 199 days, coming off from the bench in a 5-0 victory over Huddersfield Town and became the club's second youngest ever appearance maker behind Theo Walcott.

His first and only season in the first-team saw him net nine goals and he was named in the PFA League One Team of the Year for the 2010-11 season as well. At the end of the campaign, Chamberlain admitted he wanted to move on and did not have to wait long before Arsenal made good on their long-standing interest and brought him to the Emirates.

Strengths: Fast and confident on the ball, he likes to run at his man and has a powerful shot and a good footballing brain.

Weaknesses: He is not the biggest and can lack concentration. His youthful exhuberance can get the best of him and his lack of experience means he has to hit the ground running.

Career high: His 2010-11 season earned him his big move to Arsenal as a 17-year-old.

Career low: His debut for the England Under-21s saw him miss a good chance and lose the game 1-0 after coming on as a sub.

Style: Stocky, direct, a quick and powerful midfielder.

Quotes: "I always liked [Gianfranco] Zola because he was a smaller player like me. He was so good on the ball and could score all sorts of goals. I had his picture on my wall at home. He used to have a great partnership going with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and if I could be as good as Zola I'd be very happy indeed'' - Chamberlain on his hero and style of play

Trivia: Alex's dad, Mark, played for the likes of Portsmouth and Stoke as well as winning eight England caps, and his uncle, Neville Chamberlain, was also a professional footballer (rather than a politician).