The disclosed invention is directed to an oxygen scavenging composition that comprises at least one oxygen scavenging polymer and at least one vinyl crosslinker. The oxygen scavenging polymer comprises a polymeric backbone, at least two backbone crosslinking functional groups that are carbon-carbon double bonds in the backbone and at least one cyclic organic moiety having from 5 to 9 carbon atoms in its ring, and at least one carbon-carbon double bond in its ring. The vinyl crosslinker comprises at least two functional groups that are capable of reacting with the crosslinking functional groups of the oxygen scavenging polymer. Vinyl crosslinkers that can be used include styrene and methyl acrylate, among others.