Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has responded to claims by Roy Keane that Arsenal’s players are more interested in “selfies and six-packs” than winning trophies.
Keane was highly critical of what he perceives as a culture of self-obsession among Arsene Wenger’s squad.
The former Manchester United captain, who now works as Republic of Ireland assistant manager, claims a lack of focus on playing matters will once again stop Arsenal winning a first English title since 2004.
But Arsenal made a statement of intent on Sunday when they defeated champions Chelsea 1-0 in the Community Shield thanks to a fine goal from England midfielder Oxlade-Chamberlain.
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And, while the 21-year-old accepts many of Arsenal’s players are all fully immersed in the modern social media culture, Oxlade-Chamberlain insists that does not make them any less determined to deliver on the pitch this season.
When asked about Keane’s comments, Oxlade-Chamberlain said: “It is a new era, isn’t it? Some people do it, some don’t. We are serious about winning trophies.
“Personally, and I can speak for the rest of the squad, we have been serious every single year I have been at the club about winning trophies.
“You can see that on the pitch when we are playing, through the season.
“A lot of people don’t see when we lose and go through tough times how upset and disappointed we are.
“We have always wanted to win trophies and in the last years we have won a few. This season we want to go that one better.”
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THE 12 BREAKAWAY CLUBS
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
A MAN FROM MOTIHARI
Author: Abdullah Khan
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Pages: 304
Available: Now
Ramy: Season 3, Episode 1
Creators: Ari Katcher, Ryan Welch, Ramy Youssef
Stars: Ramy Youssef, Amr Waked, Mohammed Amer
Rating: 4/5
