Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has revealed how Thierry Henry gave him a confidence boost during the Frenchman's loan spell with the club earlier this year.

Henry returned to the North London club where he had already achieved legendary status for a two-month spell during the MLS off-season, and Oxlade-Chamberlain highlighted Arsenal's match against Manchester United on January 22 as a moment that gave him great confidnce.

"It was really my first start in a massive game," Oxlade-Chamberlain recalled in the Daily Telegraph.

"Just before we were walking out to the tunnel, Thierry put me in a headlock and whispered in my ear, 'I've been watching you in training. You have a bit extra, so try to run at people. Don't waste today. Take people on, show the world what you can do, work hard, work back.' That gave me massive confidence."

Oxlade-Chamberlain has made 26 appearances in his debut season for the Gunners, scoring four goals.