A lot of Arsenal fans will be forgiven if they were a bit anxious about Arsene Wenger spending £15m for a teenager from Southampton a couple of seasons ago, but all Arsenal fans will be delighted with the player they have in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. In 2011, aged just 17, Chamberlain made the same step-up that Theo Walcott did, moving from Southampton to Arsenal. A year on since joining the Gunners it is now looking likely that Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, wants the young Englishman to sign a new contract deal to make sure he stays with the club long-term. Arsene Wenger has come under heavy criticism for letting key players contract’s go into their final year. Robin Van Persie (now playing for Manchester United) and Theo Walcott were both coming to the end of their contracts this season and although Van Persie has now left the club, Walcott is still at Arsenal with his contract running down.
Talks with the club and Chamberlain are expected to start later on this month, even though the Arsenal starlet still has four years left on his remaining contract. These talks may see Chamberlain have a nice pay-rise because of his vast improvement since joining the London side back in 2011 and because of his main role now in the first team. His rapid improvement has even been a surprise to Arsene Wenger who now feels it is a suitable time to reward young Ox with a new contract to keep him at the club for many years to come.
Alex William Batt
