10 things you need to know about the young West Ham star who stunned Arsenal

Reece Oxford became the second youngest player to start a Premier League game on Sunday

REECE OXFORD burst on to the Premier League scene by nullifying Arsenal and helping West Ham to a shock opening day victory at the Emirates.

 

Tasked with man-marking World Cup winner Mesut Ozil, the 16-year-old was unfazed by the occasion and his boss, Slaven Bilic, has claimed he would be a match for Lionel Messi.

Here, News News Blog Sport brings you 10 things you need to know about the young star.

 

1. 6ft 3in Oxford started life as a centre-back but was moved further forward by new Hammers boss Bilic.

2. Despite a starring midfield role in the Premier League, the youngster is still waiting for his GCSE results later this month.

3. Arsenal were understood to have turned down the chance to sign him before he came back to haunt them on the opening day of the Premier League season.

 

4. Scouts from Manchester United and Chelsea have also been keeping tabs on him.

5. As somebody used to playing beyond his years, Oxford regularly captained the Under-21 side last season despite being the youngest player at 15.

6. He was named as West Ham's academy player of the year in the last campaign. 

 

Oxford captained England at the Under-17 European Championship

7. While still 15, Oxford was named on the bench as the Hammers took on Sheffield United in last term's League Cup.

8. He captained England at the European Under-17 Championships in Bulgaria.

9. His performances prompted a senior West Ham call-up, making his bow against FC Lustianos in a Europa League qualifier last month.

10. In doing so, he became West Ham's youngest ever player at 16 years, 198 days, beating the previous record set by Billy Williams in 1922. He is now the second youngest ever player to start a Premier League game.