France's Yohan Cabaye (right) and England's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain battle for the ball

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain feels he has made the step up to international football

Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain believes that he has settled into life as an international footballer.

The 18-year-old was England manager Roy Hodgson’s surprise selection for Euro 2012 but made his competitive debut from the start against France.

While the Gunners forward was only on the bench against Sweden and Ukraine but came on to help seal the two victories that saw his country beat France to win Group D.

“I feel settled in now. I get on well with the lads; they’re a great bunch. I’m really enjoying my time here and have made some great friends already,” Oxlade-Chamberlain said.

“I knew some of the lads from the Under-21s, but the senior boys have been really good to me, just like they are to each other.

“If I’m honest, it’s still a bit surreal to me but the football is coming thick and fast at the moment so you don’t have too much time to think about it. You just train and then get ready for the next game. When you get the chance to play you just have to make sure you are ready.

“We’ve had three tough challenges and come through them. We’re a hard team to beat and we have the quality to do damage to defences as well.”