According to a shocking report, Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is now a target for Stoke City with the Potters even getting in touch with the player’s representative over a potential move. The English international has been one of the most impactful players for Arsenal over the past few seasons but has entered into the final year of his contract with no initiative taken by the club.
The 23-year-old remains one of Arsenal’s most exciting talents in the making, who has often come off the bench to change outcomes against top sides. The latest such example was Arsenal’s late equaliser against Manchester United at Old Trafford last season. Arsene Wenger has mostly used him to inject the extra bit of pace in the ending stages of the game from the flanks.
In the absence of Hector Bellerin, Chamberlain is also seen as playing as a right wing back and when Francis Coquelin was injured, the player also played a midfielder against Bayern Munich in the Champions league. That’s not all, he was also seen playing on the left in the win against Chelsea in Arsenal’s FA Cup final win.
He has been Wenger’s most used player and the French manager has reiterated time and again that Chamberlain will stay with the club for years. However, despite being a tremendous option from the flank, Chamberlain has always pushed for a midfield role and to some extent, it has also restricted his first team place.
Reportedly, Stoke City are playing the ‘regular first team chances’ card to lure him to bet365 Stadium but is looking at a replacement for their departed winger Marko Arnautovic instead. Chamberlain isn’t likely to leave the North London giants for Stoke City for the same position. Despite having an exciting squad, Mark Hughes could collect only 41 points last season, seven points ahead of last relegated side Hull City.
Chamberlain scored two goals and provided five assists from the flanks last season and managed just one assist from the midfield. Wenger is unlikely to use him from the midfield regular, where he has better options like Grant Xhaka, Aaron Ramsey and Mohamed Elneny.
Apart from that, Arsenal are unlikely to leave Chamberlain that easily following their huge investment in the player. Since bringing him as a 17-year-old, the club has stayed by his side through thick and thin. He has been repeatedly injured during this course of time. He has missed 43 games up till now which could be a concern.
