Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been impressing in a new-found wing-back role in recent weeks, which has left Arsenal team-mate Hector Bellerin benched.
The Spanish defender has been strongly linked with a number of big-named sides, including Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City in recent transfer windows, and one offer is believed to have come in from the Citizens last summer. Our club obviously rejected any advances, but after an average season for Bellerin, he has since found himself on the bench.
The 22 year-old was in the Premier League Team of the Year for last term, and according to Arsene Wenger, struggled to recover fully from his injury in December, so has been rested of late.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been the player to come into the side in his place, although in a new wing-back role due to the switch from 4-2-3-1 to 3-4-2-1. The England international has flourished in his new role, in fact has been thoroughly impressive in a number of positions this term, including in a surprise deep central role also.
Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey are also beginning to enjoy the new formation, and may well keep the Ox out of the deep roles, but with him enjoying his spell at wing-back, he may not need to worry.
Hector Bellerin has been a key player since breaking through into the senior team, and is amongst the fans most favourite players, but has given fans little to cheer about with his appearances in 2017.
Bellerin’s absence from the first-team of course feeds the speculative rumour-mill, although Wenger has played down any exit rumours, and due to his new contract which was signed earlier in the campaign, we have no urgency to give in to pressure.
If he was to be sold, he would no doubt command a hefty fee, but does his absence mean he could be sold? How much would you accept for Bellerin?
Pat J