There have been Arsenal transfer rumours about Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all summer, with the England international being one of a number of Gunners who are now in the final year of their current contracts with the club. And with the end of the current transfer window fast approaching those rumours in the football media are growing.
\it was being reported last week that Arsenal had rejected a bid for the Ox from our Premier League rivals Chelsea and also that we he was about to sign an extension and get a pay rise that would net him around £125,000 a week and all was looking good.
Then we were told that Chamberlain was still not ready to sign and may well have decided that he wanted to go to Stamford Bridge and play for Antonio Conte but according to a Metro report nothing is yet certain and the player is going to have showdown talks this week as we try to persuade him to stay, so how will Arsene Wenger convince the talented, but often under-used, 24-year old that his future should be in north London?
I would say there are two main points apart from the money. One is to convince Chamberlain that he will be a regular starter and after he proved himself so useful in the new wing back role that should not be too hard. The other is to show him that staying at Arsenal will offer him trophy success and that one is going to be harder for the Boss to pull off.
Does Wenger have to prove his case by using the next week or so to sign a big name player or two and prove that we really do have title ambitions and credentials before the Ox says yes?
Bob.