Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain praises Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus | OneFootball

Former Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been training with the Under-21s in recent weeks as he builds up his fitness ahead of a return to the game.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has allowed the 32-year-old to train with the first team, and he is grateful for the opportunity.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is a free agent after Turkish Super Lig club Besiktas terminated his contract in August.

He has since featured for Arsenal and the U21s in behind-closed-doors friendly games, playing against Watford and Manchester United U21s recently.

The Englishman played for an hour in midfield against the Red Devils youngsters on Saturday at St George’s Park alongside Gabriel Jesus and Max Dowman, helping Arsenal to a 3-0 victory.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been impressed with what he has seen from the Arsenal stars in training, but he has reserved special praise for Jesus.

“What a player he is,” the former Arsenal star told The Athletic. “I’ve played against him many times, but just seeing how he trains, the way he works, how sharp his finishing is, he’s really impressive.”

Jesus is nearing a return to the first team after playing in the practice games against Watford and Man United in recent weeks.

He last played for the Gunners senior team in January and will be desperate to hit the ground running after almost a year out with a knee injury.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, who made 198 appearances for Arsenal before leaving for Liverpool in 2017 after six seasons, will also be hoping to get a new club very soon.

Former Arsenal striker Tyreece John-Jules trained with the Gunners U21s to maintain his fitness. He also trained with the first team before their Champions League game against Atletico Madrid in October.

The 24-year-old was a free agent after he was released by Crawley Town last summer, but has since joined Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock on a short-term deal until January.