There is a very worrying Arsenal transfer rumour today from John Cross in the Mirror, who seems to have concrete information about the Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain situation. If this rumour was from the Star or any other rag then I wouldn’t give it credence, but the fact is that Cross has inside info and has travelled with the team while on tour of Australia and China, interviewing Arsenal players and talking to staff on a regular basis.
Anyway, Cross reckons that Oxlade-Chamberlain has had quite a few meetings with Wenger over his contract situation, and has made the decision not to re-sign with Arsenal. He has insisted that the stand-off is absolutely nothing to do with the new wages offered (believed to be around 100,000 a week) but simply “is ambitious and is desperate to push himself and realise his full potential.”
It is no doubt that the Ox was one of our most improved players last season, and has performed admirably despite Wenger playing him in about six different positions, but the fact is that he only made 16 starts in the Premier League and made another 13 as a sub. The Ox has also always made it clear that he feels that his best position is at central midfield, but Wenger has only played him there in about three games but has shunted him all over the pitch as he prefers other midfielders in that role. It is little wonder that Chamberlain has become frustrated in the last few years and wants to move.
But Wenger has once again left himself open as he has already stated that the Ox will 100% be staying at Arsenal, but can the Gunners really afford to keep letting his star players run down their contracts? I think not….
Darren N.