If reports are to be believed, Arsenal are ready to open contract talks with one of their in-form stars this season in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The versatile midfielder has been Arsenal’s backbone during a crucial midseason period when things were falling apart, and now with clubs like Liverpool and Everton prying on him this summer, the North-London side is looking to wrap things up as soon as possible.
The possibilities of Arsene Wenger staying at the helm have increased over the last few weeks with the fans’ criticism falling on deaf ears. Neither the board nor the manager felt the need to come out and clarify his future even at these tumultuous times.
Players’ future has also been intricately linked with Wenger’s tenure at the club. And if the Frenchman is to stay any longer at the Emirates, he has to change his policies now. Not only will Arsenal need few fresh and big players joining the side, but he will also need to retain their star performers for the upcoming years; something they have failed to do in the last decade.
The likes of Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Robin Van Persie and more, have all left the club as soon as they started exhibiting potential. Arsenal’s stature of a ‘selling club’ needs to be broken and the biggest stride towards it could be taken this summer. Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, apart from Chamberlain are Arsenal’s immediate priorities.
However, fortunately for Arsenal, Chamberlain is a much easier problem than the other two, although he is equally important. An academy product of Southampton FC, the English midfielder came to Arsenal back in 2011 as a 17-year-old. The North-London club invested well in him over the years with the manager having faith on him even when he missed loads of games with injuries.
Among Chamberlain’s long-term injuries feature the one in the 2013-14 season, when he missed a whopping 30 games with a knee injury, and again in the 2015-16 season, he missed 13 games, showing his recurring injury problems. Hence, with clubs like Liverpool and Everton his likely suitors, Arsenal will always have the edge.
To top that, in his recent interview, the 23-year-old expressed how the manager has reassured him a midfield role at the club in the future. He said, “I have spoken to the manager a few times and he says he sees me ending up (playing centrally). I really enjoy playing in midfield and thought this is where I want to be able to play moving forward. That is my main ambition, to end up playing there.”
Chamberlain’s ability on the ball is undoubtedly exceptional. His aggressive approach and outstanding dribbling abilities have helped Arsenal pull out some really crucial goals at the big games this season, and Wenger will do all it takes to tie him down for a longer period.
