There will be many players at Arsenal this summer reaching the position of having two years left on their present deal, which is traditionally the time to start discussions on extensions. Mesut Ozil is one, and we have already heard what he German had to say about that, but it is also time for Arsene Wenger to sit down with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Like many of our so-called “English Core” Alex arrived with great promise from Southampton at a massive cost for a 17 year-old of £12million, with extra add-ons as well, and after five years at the Gunners he is now on a wage of £52,000 a week and would be expected to double that this summer if he was now a regular in the first team.
He is considered to be a winger/attacking midfielder and we have all seen his explosive pace when he is on form, but the fact is that that is a very rare occurence. In his five years he has amassed the paltry total of just 14 goals in 149 appearances in all competitions. This season he has looked even more lacking in confidence, and 17 games (plus 16 as sub) has seen him score just one League goal, and one in the Community Shield against Chelsea before the season started.
His first season at the club saw him score four goals and he has never reached such dizzy heights since, so I can not imagine him going into contract talks with Wenger in a position of strength. He has not earned a pay-rise, nor a regular place in the team, so in my opinion he should be told to get his agent to start approaching other teams to take him off our hands.
What do you think? Should he be given yet another chance next season?