Transfer Update: Arsenal Yet To Start Contract Talk With Oxlade-Chamberlain
Dec 12, 2016 at 11:07 AM
Arsenal are expected to be extremely busy attempting to negotiate contracts for several first team players in the coming months.
Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are the two most pressing concerns among several stars who are yet to commit their respective long-term futures to the Gunners.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has just 18 months remaining on his current deal despite enjoying his best season in an Arsenal shirt since joining from Southampton in 2011.
Having played a full 90 minutes on only one occasion this term, the fact that the 23-year-old has contributed six goals and as many assists in all competitions is quite remarkable.
Only Ozil, Sanchez and Theo Walcott have found the net more than him so far, leaving Oxlade-Chamberlain frustrated at not being given the chance to secure regular game time.
The Mirror reports Match of the Day pundit Ian Wright brought up the situation this weekend, suggesting the England international is annoyed with his bit-part role.
Arsene Wenger last week said talks with the player and his representatives had commenced, though it believed no approach has been made as yet.
The state of affairs could lead to an awkward situation for Arsenal – who have previously fended off interest from Manchester City and other top clubs keeping a watchful eye on his contract developments.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has demonstrated he has the quality be an important player for the Gunners for years to come, but it seems their attention is firmly focused on keeping their superstar duo in Ozil and Sanchez at the club.
Like the ex-Southampton winger, both players are in the final two years of their current agreements and demanding in excess of £200,000-per-week to pen an extension.
Arsenal are also in the process of trying to down Santi Cazorla and Per Mertesacker on new deals, though both have extension options that are able to be triggered.
Regardless of how talks pan out, the north Londoners are playing a dangerous game by allowing so many key players to reach the tail end of their contracts while they are in such fine form.
While it’s understandable the club is prioritising negotiations with Ozil and Sanchez, Arsenal fans would likely be extremely upset if the club failed to keep hold of Oxlade-Chamberlain.