This sounds to me a little bit like the situation we had at Arsenal with Theo Walcott a few years ago. The fleet footed England forward had just a year of his contract left and while some of the things being talked about between his people and the club were clearly on the financial side of things, reports at the time spoke a lot about Walcott’s wish to be given more of a chance to shine in the central striking role.
As we know, the deal was done and I think Arsene Wenger was true to his word, to some extent, as Theo did get some game time in the middle but it did not work out as well as we all hoped and he moved back out wide. Now we are hearing, as the Evening Standard reports, that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is looking for the same sort of thing.
With Liverpool apparently ready to make a transfer move for the 23-year old, the Ox is said to want the boss to give him more of a chance in central midfield if he is to sign a new Arsenal contract, even though he has usually played on the flanks and did very well at right wing back towards the end of last season.
So should Wenger give the lad the assurance he wants? And if he does, will Chamberlain make it in a central role or go back out wide after a while?
Bob.