Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says being dropped by England was a ‘wake-up call’.

The 23-year-old has been a regular for the national side but injury wrecked his chance of a spot at Euro 2016 and also missed out on selection for the 2018 World Cup qualifying win over Slovakia but has now been recalled for the matches against Malta on Saturday (18:00 SA time) and Slovenia, next Tuesday (20:45 SA time).

Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has 23 caps to his name, says being dropped was ‘a kick up the backside’.

‘It was a wake-up call,’ said Oxlade-Chamberlain. ‘To be available, feeling good and fit and not be in was a jolt.’

‘I have been playing for England since I was 18 and while I wouldn’t say I took it all for granted it just seemed to be a part of my season – to play for Arsenal and to play for England.

‘I am not young now, I am 23, so you need to be performing and playing as much as you can to deserve a chance to go and play for England.

‘Being back in the set-up now makes me realise how special it is and it is something I want to keep happening in the foreseeable future.

‘There are a lot of young players now that are doing really well and it’s not an easy squad to get into. You shouldn’t just be able to walk into an England squad.’