Although there have been many rumours about Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain being given a much-improved contract extension by Arsenal, there is still no confirmation of the Ox being any closer to signing a new deal. This is making it much more likely that the 23 year-old will be allowed to go to join Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool rather than let him run down his contract next season. Wenger said that losing the Ox would be a ‘disaster’ for the club, but if he defers signing a new contract then Le Prof will have no choice but to let him go to our rivals.
Arsene Wenger has already admitted that there will have to be a stream-lining of our ‘heavy’ squad this summer, and we also have to reduce our massive wage bill to conform to new Premier League rules.
There are the obvious players that must be disposed of at any cost including Debuchy, Jenkinson, Akpom, Calum Chambers and Lucas Perez. The stumbling block in nearly all these cases is not the transfer fee but, as we saw with Jenkinson in January, the buying club matching the current high wages that Arsenal have granted them up til now, a problem that could also occur with Jack Wilshere if he decides to find a new club.
Another very likely departure is Olivier Giroud, especially if Wenger is successful in signing Alexandre Lacazette. Then either Ospina or Szczesny will be allowed to leave or maybe even both if they can command a reasonable transfer fee. Kieran Gibbs is also in the last year of his contract, but if the Ox and Debuchy also go we may be a little short on the defensive side..