Southampton manager Nigel Adkins has expressed his pride at the way Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is progressing as a player.

Oxlade-Chamberlain began his career under the tutelage of Adkins at the Saints, following in the footsteps of fellow Southampton academy graduates Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott.

The winger will return to St. Mary's with Arsenal tomorrow as the two sides meet in the Premier League, and Adkins believes that he will be given a rousing reception.

"I think he will get a fantastic reception, he is one of the players that came through our system," said Adkins.

"We are excited watching him played. We'd love him to still be at Southampton, but he is an Arsenal player now and an England international. I went to watch him against Reading the other night and he was exhilarating, with his acceleration to go away, a desire to get on the football. He is a joy to watch.

"I think everybody at Southampton is proud of what he is doing now. Everybody at the football club has had a role and a responsibility to play in Alex's development, but it is down to him as well. He is an exciting young talent."

Tomorrow will be the second time that the two sides have met this season, with the Gunners thrashing Southampton 6-1 in the first meeting.